2nd May 2009

MATCH REPORT: FOOTBALL WEST. SATURDAY, 2 MAY 2009.

SORRENTO 3 (D Cain 30, T Harnwell 39, Own Goal 73) v COCKBURN (M Mirco 15, Own Goal 25, J Findlater 82)

HT: 2-2

SORRENTO (4-3-3): GK. Neil YOUNG, 2. Danny CAIN, 19. Sam DOYLE (3. Stuart BANKS 67′), 5. Michael ORD, 8. Brodie MARTIN, 11. Lewis FLATT, 12. Paul CUNNINGHAM, 15. Leo HARMAN (14. Daniel DURRAS 62′), 18. Glen THOMAS, 21. Reese VITTIGLIA, 23. Dejan GUROVSKI (9. Todd HARNWELL 85′) Subs Not Used: RGK. Michael LAWSON, 48. Cameron YORKE. Cautions: M Ord 45, D Cain 47.

COCKBURN CITY (4-3-3): GK. Dejan ALEKSIC, 27. Paul NATALE, 4. Ryan PRETORIUS, 5. Devon GIBSON, 7. Aaron DOS SANTOS, 8. Lleweyn BAKE, 20. Dusan MACURA, 15. Cameron EDWARDS (13.Josh FINDLATER 67) 11. John MIRCO, 16. Jason DOS SANTOS (3. Jamie DE ABREU 79), 2. Jon DEVITE (14. Adam SURJAN 57′), 6. Michael MIRCO. Subs Not used: RGK. Jason OLBYRNE, 4. Ryan PRETORIUS. Cautions: J Dos Santos 27.

Referee: Joe Fusari

“SORRENTO SLIDE AT HOME”

The Sorrento Gulls gave their supporters a consecutive 3-3 thrilling home encounter. This one was against Cockburn whereas two weeks ago it was against Stirling Lions and whilst fans are seeing goals, Gulls Coach, Steve Neville is not happy about the goals against column, especially at Percy Doyle Reserve. The Gulls showed their strength as they came back from 2 goals down to go in front, but then conceded an equaliser with 8 minutes left.

Warm conditions and no breeze at “Windy Hill” soon had the healthy crowd of supporters undertaking frequent drink breaks. Away team Captain, John Mirco called the toss of the coin correctly and chose to attack the Warwick Road (northern) end. The Gulls were missing Daryl Platten, Stuart Montgomery, and James Morgan all due to injury and Shaun Kilkelly and Steve McDonald due to suspension. Whilst Danny Hill was away with work commitments. New signing Paul Cunningham made his full debut at centre back.

3 minutes in and Gulls keeper, Neil Young was good to parried a Llewlyn Bake bullet. The deflection fell to Aaron Dos Santos who tapped the ball over the line from close in, but was correctly ruled off side. The Gulls were party to their own destruction on 15 minutes. A high lobbed ball from the left was contested by Gulls team mates, Paul Cunningham and Danny Cain with the ball dropping to Michael Mirco who from an angle cleverly directed  his placement passed Young and in at bottom left to put Cockburn in front.

Ten minutes later it was another goal to the team in white. Cameron Edwards struck a shot from the left that angled across goal and Cain turned the ball into his own net at the far post whilst under pressure from Johnny Mirco.

Cain redeemed himself at the 30-minute mark, drilling a header past keeper Dejan Aleksic after he was left unmarked at a Sorrento corner that was taken from the left by Glen Thomas. The home side was back on level terms on 39 minutes after Lewis Flatt set up Todd Harnwell’s third goal of the season. Harnwell timed his run onto Flatt’s through-ball perfectly, reaching the ball a moment before the advancing Aleksic before slipping the ball past the keeper.

The beginning of the second half was lively from both teams as they both strived to win this match. The sky blues had their third goal on 73 minutes. A Thomas corner from the left was struck deep where Harnwell gained possession and fired a cross back where it struck Dusan Macura on the chest and rebounded into his own net past Aleksic in a badly bungled clearance attempt.

Serious scoring opportunities were limited and it seemed that Macura’s error would consign Cockburn to back-to-back losses. However, on 82 minutes, the Gulls presented up a chance in their own area to their visitors and it took them four attempts to get the ball pass Young. Substitute, Josh Findlater striking with a decisive bounce.

Neither coach wanted the draw, but their team could not deliver another goal as a stale mate saw the remaining 8 minutes.

RESERVES: SORRENTO 2 (K Dennis 9, C Yorke 14)v COCKBURN 4 ( P Underwood 17, P Biserko 27, J Brunetto 34, R Pretorius 89)

The Gulls produced a great opening period to go two goals in front. On 9 minutes Kris Dennis fired a left footer into the bottom left after accepting a lay off from Simon Edwards. 5 minutes later Cameron Yorke belted in a free kick pass Jason O’Byrne. However it was down hill from there as the visitors took over and scored four.

Paul Underwood fired high into Lawson’s net after 17 minutes. 10 minutes later Pavle Biserko scored following a corner. Then a further 7 minutes, Joseph Brunetto scored with an overhead kick as the Gulls failed to clear their area.

The 2^nd half saw the Gulls striving to get level, but Cockburn held on and then in the final minute of the match Ryan Pretorius slotted home after accepting a square ball from Brunetto.

UNDER 18: SORRENTO 3 (W Padley 4, 9, T Pottier 45) v COCKBURN 1 (L Armstrong 77)

The Gulls took control of this match early and thus Cockburn was always struggling to catch up.

Wes Padley displayed his vision when he coolly lobbed Cockburn keeper Harrison Burgess from 30 metres for the opener after only 4 minutes. Padley added his second 5 minutes later when he flicked his header in at the near post following a corner from the right. The Gulls were certainly in charge, but took until the final seconds of the half to increase their lead. Tyron Pottier bundling the ball over the line at his 2^nd or maybe 3^rd attempt.

The 2^nd half the intensity dropped and as a result the Gulls passing and general play fell away. However, Cockburn were only good enough to get one goal back in the 45 minutes. Substitute Luke Armstrong shooting pass Todd Ross.

Sorrento’s next Football West match is away to Canning City on Saturday, 9 May at Burrendah Reserve, Aspley Rd, Burrendah. Kick off times are: U/18 at 11am, Reserves at 1pm and First Team at 3pm.