Report by Blayne Treadgold

 

Sorrento capped off a historic week as they recorded a 2-1 win over Cockburn City in their round 22 PS4 NPLWA fixture at Percy Doyle Reserve on Saturday.

Jamie Harnwell’s men came into the match full of confidence after success against Canberra Olympic in the Westfield FFA Cup three days prior.

Harnwell was pleased with the overall result and also the manner in which his side handled the disrupted preparations.

“It wasn’t the prettiest of games, we were a little bit flat in the first half but we managed to get there in the end,” he said.

“We didn’t train as normal on Thursday. It was more of a recovery session as we couldn’t do a lot of work.

“I’m pleased that we managed to come out and get the result in the second half today.”

Cockburn coach Scott Miller also praised Sorrento, despite his young side being competitive for long periods throughout the match.

“Sorrento is a great football club, they’ve obviously played the three games in a week,” he said.

“You could see them struggling, but I thought their defending was outstanding.”

Cockburn captain Harry O’Brien hit the upright on 20 minutes and it was the closest either team came to opening the scoring in the first half.

After the break, Brad McDonald tried a shot from distance, which drifted just wide of the target.

Jesse Lazzaro and Julian Teles combined well to set up a golden opportunity for Cockburn, but the shot failed to hit the target.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 61st minute as Sean Canham tucked away a loose ball after Steve McDonald’s header was too hot to handle for the Cockburn defence.

Sorrento doubled their advantage through Reece Vittiglia, who kept his cool to slot past Cockburn goalkeeper Luke Radonich.

Liam Murray gave the visitors a glimpse of hope when he scored in the 90th minute as Cockburn pushed late, but it wouldn’t be enough as Sorrento held on for the win.

 

Sorrento 2 (Canham 61min, Vittiglia 86)

Cockburn City 1 (Murray 90min)

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Percy Doyle Reserve

Kick-off: 3:00pm

Referee: Tom Glavovic

Assistants: Stuart Muldoon, Simon Hicks

Sorrento: 1. James MORGAN (GK), 4. Shaun KILKELLY, 6. Darryl PLATTEN (C), 7. Alex MORGAN,

8. Ryan PEARSON (3. George HUNTER 71’), 9. Sean CANHAM (2. Jacob SHORE 89’), 11. Tim HILL, 13. Steve McDONALD, 17. Reece VITTIGLIA (12. Josh TUCKER 89’) 20. Brad MCDONALD, 21. Sam BYLES

Substitutes not used:, 60. Anthony SALPIETRO (RGK)

Yellow Cards: 20. Brad MCDONALD

Red Cards: nil

Cockburn City: 1. Luke RADONICH (GK), 5. Kieron STALLARD, 6. Reuben TRISTAO,
7. Calvin WHITNEY, 9. Gian ALBANO 10. David ARAYA (18. Liam MURRAY 61’), 11. Harry O’BRIEN (C),
13. Blake ADAMS, 14. Julian TELES, 15. Daniel SANTICH (2. Joshua KUSER 89’) 17. Jesse LAZZARO

Substitutes not used: 3. Daniel DOLS, 8. Riley VAN DIEKEN, 23. Ryan BARKER (RGK)

Yellow Cards: 13. Blake ADAMS

Red Cards: nil.