Jason Mirco was the hero for the Gulls, scoring two second-half goals, the second of which came after the home side lost Jamie Harnwell to a second yellow card in the 71st minute.

 

The Gulls struggled to get going early on, but were almost gifted the opening goal in the fifteenth minute when Armadale keeper Cyril Sharrock dallied over a clearance and was closed down by Jason Mirco, the ball bouncing off the Sorrento attacker and on to the cross bar.

 

Still it was Armadale who had the better of the opening exchanges, with Ravi Kupussamy and Mark Loxley looking dangerous.

 

Sorrento were struggling to get in behind the Armadale defence, and were reduced to efforts from distance through Brodie Martin and Johny Mirco.

 

In the 39th minute Armadale came close to taking the lead through Wilf Dinsdale, whose shot following a corner was blocked by Daryl Platten. The ball dropped to Alan Darlington, who saw his effort smothered by Ryan Pearson.

 

Sorrento did have the ball in the back of the net in the 43rd minute, Todd Harnwell deflecting a Reece Vittiglia shot past Sharrock. Unfortunately for the Gulls, Harnwell was flagged offside.

 

Just before half time Armadale struck. A ball out from the back set Kupussamy free. He outpaced the Sorrento defense and reached the ball just ahead of the onrushing Curtis Aspden before rolling it into the back of the net.

 

The home side were struggling, and it took a slice of luck to get them back into the game. In the 50th minute a Jason Mirco corner deceived Sharrock and drifted into the back of the net.

 

Armadale looked to hit back through Kupussamy, Wilf Dinsdale and Alan Darlington. Things looked to be swinging decisively in the visitors’ favour when Jamie Harnwell was given his marching orders following a second booking for dissent.

 

Aspden had to be alert to deny Darlington at his near post after Darren Francis’s miscued shot turned into the perfect pass.

 

Sorrento had a great chance to snatch a lead when Jason Mirco found himself one on one with Sharrock after a well weighted Todd Harnwell pass. Mirco wanted too long and was quickly closed down by the Armadale custodian.

 

A minute later substitute Steve McDonald had to be alert to clear Nick Viaggio’s header off the line. Pearson was called on to repeat the feat soon after, hooking clear from the same player.

 

In the 85th minute Sorrento won a free kick through the lively Reece Vittiglia. Sorrento threw everyone forward and when McDonald nodded the ball back across the box, Jason Mirco was on hand to sidefoot home. Cue wild celebrations from the players and the bench.

 

Sorrento managed to hold out for the remainder of the match, claiming an impressive three points to stay a point behind league leaders Bayswater.

Sorrento 2 (Jason MIRCO 51’ 86’)

Armadale 1 (Ravi KUPUSSAMY 45+1’)

Saturday 4 August 2012

Percy Doyle Reserve, Duncraig

Local kick-off: 3:00pm

Crowd: Approx 100

Referee: Josh Mannella

Assistants: Hugh Best and Pedro Vazquez

 

Sorrento FC: GK. Curtis ASPDEN, 3. Micheal ASPIN, 16. Jamie HARNWELL, 6. Daryl PLATTEN, 22. Ryan PEARSON, 10. Jason MIRCO, 8. Brodie MARTIN, 20. Reece VITTIGLIA, 9. Todd HARNWELL (19. Stuart MONTGOMERY 90+1’), 12. Johny MIRCO (14. Steve McDONALD 72’), 36. Jack DOYLE (7. James MORGAN 65’)

Substitutes not used: 54. James MORGAN, 17. Gavin KNIGHT

Yellow cards: 16. Jamie HARNWELL 70’ 71’

Red cards: 16. Jamie HARNWELL 71’

 

Armadale: GK. Cyril SHARROCK, 13. Sam LOVELESS (14. Allan CLAXTON 89’), 5. Nick VIAGGIO, 6. Nathan COSTELLO (18. Callum POTTON 89’), 17. Blake ADAMS, 10. Alan DARLINGTON, 4. Wilf DINSDALE, 9. Darren FRANCIS, 3. Mark McCLEMENTS (8. Dale WINGELL78’), 12. Rhys LOXLEY, 19. Ravi KUPUSSAMY

 

Substitutes not used: 15. Chris HOLLAND, 20. Jack ADAMS

Yellow cards: 13. Sam LOVELESS 16’, 6. Nathan COSTELLO 84’, GK. Cyril SHARROCK 87’

Red cards: Nil