Report by Dennis Gedling

Sorrento stayed in touch with the NPL WA top four after an injury-time goal from substitute Cameron Teece gave the Gulls a 3-2 win away at Armadale.

The result was harsh on struggling Arrmadale who played their part in an end-to-end match.

Sorrento were on top early at a sunny Alfred Skeet Reserve and were 1-0 up after only 12 minutes when Jordan Roberts scored a simple goal. It was exactly the start Sorrento needed but Armadale managed to get back in the game with an opportunistic free-kick on 19 minutes. Following a handball, Michael Lawson managed to lash the ball home past the keeper from near the byline, a strike that surprised not only the opposition but most of his teammates.

After an arm wrestle for the most of the remainder of the half things livened up once again - and how. On 42 minutes Sorrento retook the lead when Jack Salter got to a loose ball before Armadale keeper Sam Hutchings and finished despite copping a knock in the ribs for his trouble.

The home side rallied again, though, and three minutes into added on time they were awarded a penalty after Scott Robertson handled. Lawson had his brace when he converted from the spot.

The second half was an open affair and a great advertisment for the NPL WA. Lawson lashed one over the bar on 67 minutes before Robertson seemed to handle again but this time a penalty wasn’t forthcoming. 

Armadale were using the wings brilliantly and on 90 minutes Joshua Cortes was sent clear. His squared pass found Ali Nazary one on one with keeper James Morgan but his shot was smothered. A golden opportunity missed and how costly it would prove.

In the dying moments a Sorrento corner wasn’t cleared and in the packed penalty area the burly Teece was allowed to somehow turn and shoot. The ball sneaked past Hutchings, much to the delight of the Sorrento players.

Armadale must pick themselves up for a huge game next week against second bottom ECU Joondalup, where they will face old boys Billy Quinncroft and Charlie Kenna. Sorrento, who are fifth, are back home for clash with the league leaders Perth SC.

Star player: Michael Lawson (Armadale)

Armadale 2 (Lawson 19 min, pen 45+4)
Sorrento 3 (Roberts 12, Salter 42 Teece 90+2)

Saturday, May 26
Alfred Skeet Reserve
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Joshua Nixon
Assistant referees: Sorousha Moayer, Aaron Softley

Armadale: 1. Sam HUTCHINGS 4. Nathan COSTELLO 3. James HARRAN 5. Ali NAZARY 13. Blake ADAMS 2. John Kuser 12. Dannie Richman 8. Michael LAWSON 6. Joel SANDERSON (9. Uriel MACIAS 66) 10. Sam GARCES (22. Ryan HASLETT 58) 7. Joshua Cortes
Substitutes not used: 34. Blake HANSEL 16. Chad NILSON
Yellow cards: Lawson 43 Nazary 47 Cortes 68
Red cards: Nil

Sorrento: 1. James MORGAN 2. David STOKOE 3. Jakub PRAJZA 4. Shaun KILKELLY 5. Scott ROBERTSON 7. Alex MORGAN (8. Scott WITSCHGE 70) 10. Jordan ROBERTS (20. Jaxon TEMATA 94) 11. Timothy HILL 17. Reece VITTIGLIA 18. Jordan BROWN 19. Jack SALTER (23. Cameron TEECE 56)
Substitutes not used: 60. Noah BLOCH 32. Tristian STEVENS
Yellow cards: Robertson 48 Kilkelly 68
Red cards: Nil