9th May 2009

MATCH REPORT: FOOTBALL WEST. SATURDAY, 9 MAY 2009.

CANNING 4 (D Trevisiol 10, P van Dingen 16, 57, A Mehic 87) v SORRENTO 2 (T Harnwell 82, S McDonald 91)

HT: 2-0

Canning (4-4-2): GK Devon Spence, 14 Rory Mouttet, 5 Duncan Hind, 4 Paul Van Dongen, 6 Gareth Lecky, 10 Roberto Lujan (8 J Loong 90), 12 Greg Newcombe, 3 Jon Mathers, 11 Charles Partridge (13 Admir Mehic 81), 9 Simon Versacio (19 M Rogers 87), 2 Daniel Trevisiol. Subs not used: RGK James Partridge, 2 Luke Doyle. Cautions: R Mouttet 65, C Partridge 70,

Sorrento (4-3-3): GK Neil Young, 4 Shaun Kilkelly, 5 Michael Ord, 12 Paul Cunningham, 2 Danny Cain, 11 Lewis Flatt, 18 Glen Thomas, 3 Stuart Banks (15 Leo Harman 58), 9 Todd Harnwell, 21 Reece Vittiglia (20 Danny Hill 46), 13 Steve McDonald. Subs not used: RGK Michael Lawson, 14 Daniel Darras, 24 Ross Liang. Cautions: Cain 36. Send Off: D Cain 88 (second bookable offence).

Referee: Troy Miller

“CANNING CUT DOWN GULLS”

Canning City claimed their most impressive “feather in their cap” since their promotion into the top flight, inflicting a 4-2 defeat on title holders Sorrento at Burrendah Reserve. It was Canning’s first home win of the season and second overall in its debut Premier League season. The Gulls for their 2^nd consecutive match go 2 goals down early and then battle to get back in the match. The Gulls produced what was probably their worse performance in living history to concede their 2^nd loss in 5 starts.

Warm conditions for the 3pm kick off. Gulls Captain, Todd Harnwell called the toss of the coin incorrectly and were consigned to attack the lake (eastern) end of the narrow ground. Canning was missing Paul Oliver with injury, whilst the Gulls were missing Daryl Platten, Stuart Montgomery, Brodie Martin, and James Morgan all due to injury. Stuart Banks went straight into the Gulls starting eleven after being passed fit following 3 weeks out with injury.

A very smallish crowd was present at this very first match ever between the two clubs. They saw the Gulls start the brighter; giving no indication of the horror afternoon that was to unfold.

On 10 minutes Roberto Lujan made inroads into the Gulls left and he crossed into the danger area where the unmarked Daniel Trevisiol smartly volleyed into the bottom left to stun the visitors. 3 minutes later it could have been worse for the Gulls as Lujan shot was deflected high off Neil Young, but Shaun Kilkelly headed the dropping ball clear from under the cross bar. A further 3 minutes and the Gulls went from stun to disbelief as the team in royal blues went further ahead. Simon Versacio shot was travelling across goal, but Paul Van Dongen slid in to turn the ball home at the far right post.

The team in their new orange & black Errea strip were struggling, but at the 25 minute mark had a glimmer as Stuart Banks crossed from the left to Steve McDonald who headed down to Reece Vittiglia who attempted to direct the ball in at the foot of the right post, but was denied by the diving Devon Spence. A Gulls free kick within a minute was swung in by Glen Thomas was met by Paul Cunningham, but his header was just over. From this brief period of hope the Gull’s play deteriorated to a point of sheer frustration during which Danny Cain collected a caution by Referee Troy Miller who overall had an excellent match. Not so for the visitors. On 42 Minutes Harnwell chased and won possession of a low through ball and duly beat his chaser, but then shot wide of the right post. A minute into first half stoppage time, Kilkelly headed forward to Harnwell on the right and his cross was met but the waiting Banks, but his volley was well wide.

For the start of the 2^nd half, the injured Reece Vittiglia made way for Danny Hill in the Gulls line up. It was at the other end of the field where the first opportunity of the new half occurred when Charles Partridge’s shot from close in was held by Young within the first minute. One move that almost produced the desired reuly was started by Michael Ord who passed to Kilkelly who put the ball over the top to Harnwell, but when faced with the keeper, Harnwell mishit horribly well over on 53 minutes. 4 minutes later the Gulls had a corner, but at its breakdown, Canning mounted a swift charge down the park where Partridge’s shot was blocked by young, but van Dongen turned in the rebound to put the home team 3 up.

The Gulls were keen for the fight. But just were not jellying. At a set play on 68 minutes Thomas took another free kick and again Cunningham headed over without troubling Spence in the Canning goal. 10 minutes later Partridge was one on one with Young, but the WA State keeper won the contest.

The Gulls had a goal on 82 minutes when Harnwell’s looping header to a Cain cross from the left, went over the stranded Spence. The Gulls didn’t enjoy the reduced deficit for long. Substitute Admir Mehic poorly-executed cross from the right was over young and in off the far left post. Summed up a horror day for Sorrento. Then Cain’s enthusiasm to gain possession earned him his 2^nd caution and subsequence dismissal on 88 minutes.
A minute into stoppage time a Lewis Flatt shot was stopped by a hand in the Canning Penalty area. Steve McDonald’s penalty was blocked by Spence, but the rebound cam back to McDonald who then made no error.

A poor display by the Gulls whereas Canning were on song and thus the 3 points to Canning City.

MAN OF THE MATCH: PAUL CUNNINGHAM

RESERVES: CANNING 1 (K Lim 22) v SORRENTO 1 (S Doyle 19)

Canning and the Gulls served up an entertaining match that had the right result at the end. Canning the league leaders went behind in the 19^th minute when Joe Stocker opened up their defensive line with a through ball for Sam Doyle to run onto an fire low pass James Partridge. 3 minutes later Kyle Mitsopoulos raced down the right and his low cross was turned in by Kevin Lim. Despite all the good play no further goals for the match, but both teams should be satisfied with their work.

UNDER 18: CANNING 1 (N Hubbard 64p) v SORRENTO 1 (K Lorriane 7)

A match that the Gulls should have won comfortably. Playing by far the better football, their inability to score more than once in their dominant first half only got a share of the points.

The Gulls were in front on 7 minutes when Keegan Lorriane volleyed in a Martin McGoldrick cross from the left. So many, many opportunities were wasted in the half. At time keeper, Todd  Ross was a spectator.

19 minutes into the 2^nd half a hand ball drew a penalty. Nathan Hubbard’s first effort was saved by Ross, but the kick was ordered to be retaken due to encroachment by the Gulls defenders. Hubbard’s retake was successful low to the left.

Despite the Gulls renewed efforts a winning goal was not created.

Sorrento’s next Football West match is away to Swan United on Saturday, 16 May at Swan Italian Club, Francis Street, Middle Swan. Kick off times are: U/18 at 11am, Reserves at 1pm and First Team at 3pm.