Report by Peter Simcox

Photo: Courtesy Peter Simcox

Perth SC consolidated third spot on the PS4 National Premier Leagues WA table with a 2-0 victory against Sorrento at Dorrien Gardens last night.

Skipper Clark Keltie gave the home side the lead before Dean Evans doubled their advantage just before the break to end Sorrento’s six-game winning streak.

The win was a perfect preparation for Perth’s Westfield FFA Cup game against New South Wales NPL side Rockdale City Suns on Wednesday, while Sorrento will be hoping for a better outcome when they take on Hyundai A-League side Sydney FC at nib Stadium on the same night.

Evans said Perth would take confidence into the game against Rockdale.

“We controlled the game from the get go and controlled possession, and we knew we had to patient,” he said. “But the gaps appeared and we took our chances.

“We worked really hard tonight and it’s great to have someone like Clark in the middle with me. He’s an experienced player and the midfielders work well together… the more we play together the better we will become.

“This win closes the gap on Floreat for second spot and gives us some impetus going into the Rockdale game.”

Perth coach Taki Nicolaidis was worried going into the game as training had not been the best.

“We were outstanding tonight but our training has been a bit off,” he said.

“I don’t know if the lads were getting a little bit ahead of themselves with the cup game next week but our session last night was the worst of the season.

“I told the players selection for the cup game is made tomorrow and they needed to show me why I should pick them and they re-grouped tonight and put in a great performance.”

The coach thought his skipper and Evans were outstanding.

“Both goals were good, another free kick from Dean, and Clark’s finish was fantastic,” he said.

“Both were absolutely outstanding for us tonight, protecting our back four and winning everything in the middle of the park.”

Sorrento had been first to threaten on seven minutes when Brad McDonald sent Todd Harnwell into the area but new Perth Serbian defender Aleksander Susnjar got back with a timely last-ditch tackle.  

Moments later, Perth had a penalty claim turned down by referee Matthew Southern after Aden Da Luz’s cross looked to have hit the arm of Sorrento defender Lewis Hall.

The home side began to take control of the game and on 22 minutes they hit the front. Josh Wilkins pulled the ball back to Keltie on the edge of the penalty area and his shot flew into the corner of the net.

Sorrento had the perfect opportunity to level 12 minutes later. Good work on the right by Harnwell took him clear of his marker and his cross picked out the unmarked Sean Canham, who headed wide of the target from 6m.

It was the best period of the match for the visitors and they then had the ball in the net five minutes later but Scott Bulloch’s effort was ruled offside.

Perth were on the back foot and keeper Francis Soale had to be alert to push Bulloch’s shot around the post before Bulloch’s deep cross landed on top of the net moments later.

But just before half-time their hard work was undone when Perth doubled their advantage.

Nick Ambrogio was brought down on the edge of the area by Hall and Evans curled the resulting free kick low past goalkeeper James Morgan to give them a 2-0 lead at the break.

Both sides had chances early in the second half. Ambrogio’s shot was well saved by James Morgan before in a goalmouth scramble, Shaun Kilkelly’s shot was blocked by some desperate Perth defending.

Perth skipper Keltie was having an outstanding game, not only in the middle of the park but sweeping up at the back as Sorrento pressed forward.

Sorrento were struggling to break down the Perth defence with David Cyrus and Julian Madaschi solid and the visitor’s best chances came from long-range.

Perth almost added a third on 67 minutes. Wilkins sent second-half substitute Frank Furfaro down the right and his low cross was agonisingly close to reaching Ambrogio just metres from goal.

Moments later Rocco Pizzata’s surging run ended with a great ball into the path of Mark Pritchard but the midfielder’s shot flashed inches wide of the target.

Sorrento ended the game well with Thomas Boss having two late chances. First he cut in from the right but his shot drifted wide of the post before another effort was well saved by Soale.

Perth SC 2 (Keltie 23 mins, Evans 44)
Sorrento 0
Friday July 31 2015
Dorrien Gardens, West Perth
Referee: Matthew Southern
Assistants: Josh Mannella and Scott Cairns

Perth SC: GK Francis SOALE, 2 Joshua WILKINS, 3 David CYRUS, 4 Aleksander SUSNJAR (13 Rocco PIZZATA 63’), 5 Dean EVANS, 6 Clark KELTIE (C), 8 Aden DA LUZ (21 Frank FURFARO 54’), 11 Julian MADASCHI, 14 Mark PRITCHARD, 16 Nicholas AMBROGIO, 17 Reece VITTIGLIA (19 Andreas THEODOSIADES 77’)
Substitutes not used: RGK Alex DUNN, 18 Josh PEREIRA
Yellow cards: Susnjar 17’

Sorrento: GK James MORGAN, 2 Danny CAIN (19 Jack SALTER 63’), 4 Shaun KILKELLY, 7 James A MORGAN (12 Jack EADES 71’), 8 Ryan PEARSON, 9 Todd HARNWELL, 11 Thomas BOSS, 15 Scott BULLOCH, 18 Sean CANHAM (13 Steve MCDONALD 63’), 20 Brad MCDONALD, 22 Lewis HALL
Substitutes not used: RGK Jordan BLANK, 24 Scott HOYLE
Yellow cards: Kilkelly 43'