Woodcock stars as Cockburn beat Gulls
Report by Edward Nixon
Riley Woodcock netted twice as Cockburn City opened up their 2019 NPL WA season with a 3-2 win away at Sorrento on Saturday.
The 23-year-old former Perth Glory winger was a constant thorn in the side of Sorrento all afternoon as Scott Miller’s men got their season off to the perfect start.
Despite playing away from home, Cockburn dominated all the early possession and took the lead after just 12 minutes. Sorrento goalkeeper James Morgan could only parry Ashley Rosindale’s shot as far as the alert Woodcock who tapped home from close range.
Woodcock was again involved just 10 minutes later and almost had his second when his glancing header from Devon Gibson’s inviting cross skimmed the post.
The visitors did get their second just before the half-hour mark after Rosindale controlled the ball beautifully in the six-yard box before chipping it over Morgan to make it 2-0.
Sorrento pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time when Cameron Teece pounced on Luke Radonich’s clever ball to set up a thrilling second half.
The hosts jumped out of the blocks after the break but despite controlling much of the early tempo, it was Cockburn who reclaimed their two-goal cushion – Woodcock drilling home his second of the afternoon after a darting run.
Sorrento skipper Reece Vittiglia gave his side a fighting chance after finding the back of the net with a well-taken strike seven minutes from time, but Cockburn held on to secure all three points.
Star man: Riley Woodcock (Cockburn City)
Sorrento 2 (Teece 41min, Vittiglia 83)
Cockburn City 3 (Woodcock 12 61, Rosindale 25)
Percy Doyle Reserve
Saturday, March 16, 2019
Kick-Off: 3:00pm
Referee: Stephen Gregory
Assistant Referees: Brendan Skinner, Troy Malatesa
Sorrento: 1. James MORGAN (GK), 2. David STOKOE, 3. Jakub PRAJZA, 4. Shaun KILKELLY, 5. Scott ROBERTSON, 7. Alex MORGAN (19. Jack SALTER 76), 10. Jordan ROBERTS, 11. Tim HILL, 17. Reece VITTIGLIA (c), 18. Jordan BROWN (8. Scott WITSCHGE 70), 23. Cameron TEECE
Substitutes not used: 13. Steven McDONALD, 22. Danny JONES, 60. Matthew GIUDICATTI
Yellow cards: TEECE (36)
Red cards: Nil
Cockburn City SC: 1. Luke RADONICH (GK), 3. Daniel SANTICH, 4. Euen GRANT (c), 5. Julian TELES, 6. Rueben TRISTAO, 7. Jesse LAZZARO, 8. Cameron EDWARDS, 10. Riley WOODCOCK (18. Adam ANFUSO 76), 11. Harry O’BRIEN, 17. Devon GIBSON (16. Daniel ROBINSON 76), 20. Ashley ROSINDALE (12. Ryan PRATT 84)
Substitutes not used: 14. Hayden STEVENS, 23. Ben RADONICH
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
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