MATCH REPORT: FOOTBALL WEST. SATURDAY, 19 MAY 2012. By Kerry Slater
SORRENTO 2 (Brodie Martin 14, Todd Harnwell 71) v BAYSWATER 0
HT: 1-0
Sorrento (4-2-2): GK Curtis Aspden, 22 Ryan Pearson, 6 Daryl Platten, 13 Steve
McDonald, 3 Mikey Aspin, 7 James T Morgan, 8 Brodie Martin, 10 Jason Mirco,
9 Todd Harnwell, 12 Johny Mirco (16 Jamie Harnwell 77), 20 Reece Vittiglia
(19 Stuart Montgomery 90+3). Subs not used: RGK James Morgan, 28 Brad
Burgess. Cautions: 7 James T Morgan 24, 24; 9 Todd Harnwell 53. Sent Off: 7
James T Morgan 24.
Bayswater City (4-3-3): GK Tom Dixton, 2 Patrick Quinn, 3 Luka Nijegic (13 Jack
Wilkinson 67), 4 John Kearney, 5 Andy Reale, 6 Paul McCarthy, 7 Nathan Diaz
(12 Joe Yoffe 46), 8 Ross Cosgrove (14 Larry Miller 46), 9 Gustavo Marulanda,
10 Cisco Jorquera, 11 Gustavo Catarcione. Subs not used: RGK Anthony
Salpiero, 15. Callum O'Connell. Cautuions: 7 Nathan Diaz 45+3, 3 Luka Nijegic
64, 6 Paul McCarthy 74, 4 John KEARNEY 84.
Referee: Michel Jasinski; AR1: Josh Mannella; AR2: Dusan Rudic
“GUSTY GULLS WIN WITH 10”
The Sorrento Gulls again displayed their resolve to subdue visitors Bayswater
City 2-0 in their Football West Premier league contest at Percy Doyle Reserve on
Saturday. The Gulls had midfielder James T Morgan sent off in the 24th minute in
a quick succession double booking, but his team mates exhibited probably their
best performance of control and structured football to achieve 3 points that took
them to 2nd in the league.
Morgan's red card was another highlight reel moment for referee Michel Jasinski,
who unfortunately took centre stage for the wrong reasons during a game of
controversy in which tempers often flared, especially in the first half.
A fairly warm 25 degrees with only a breath of a breeze at the “windy Hill” venue
for the 3pm kick off. Gulls Captain, Todd Harnwell called incorrectly the toss
of the coin by Referee Michel Jasinski and was asked by Bayswater’s Captain
Cisco Jorquera to attack the hill (southern) end goal.
The game got off to a slow start in front of a vocal crowd at Windy Hill, with both
sides feeling each other out in the early stages. They would be given something
to shout about in the seventh minute when Bayswater defender Luka Nijegic
looked to have blocked a Todd Harnwell volley with his hand. Steve McDonald
having headed down to Todd Harnwell on the edge of the area. Referee Jasinski
waved away appeals much to the displeasure of the home fans and players.
Moments later a blatant handball by a Bayswater defender who reached high to
tip away a Gulls corner from the left by Jason Mirco seemed to go unpunished
and Bayswater launched a counter attack which culminated with Gustavo
Catarcione shooting into the side netting. Protests continued during the stoppage
in play, with players from both sides engaging in a bit of push and shove. After
consulting with linesman Josh Manella who had flagged for the infringement,
Jasinski decided to award the earlier penalty.
Jason Mirco stepped up to take, only to see his effort brilliantly tipped wide of
the foot of the left post by diving Tom Dixon. Todd Harnwell was first to the
deflection, but from a tight angle his shot was deflected for a corner.
Rather than let their heads drop, Sorrento pressed Bayswater back and were
rewarded when Brodie Martin's header looped over Dixon and under the
crossbar following a fantastic Johnny Mirco cross from the left on 14 minutes.
This led to Bayswater's best spell of the game, with Gustavos Marulanda and
Catarcione linking up dangerously.
In the 24th minute Sorrento midfielder James Morgan was giving his marching
orders after receiving two yellow cards, one for the tackle and one for the
following dissent. Gulls Coach, Paul Price withdrew Reece Vittiglia from his
striker’s role to move into midfield, leaving Johny Mirco as the lone striker.
A minute later Catarcione almost drew the visitors level after taking on Steve
McDonald and shooting low towards the near post. Aspden was alert and
kept the shot out with his feet. They came even closer to an equaliser when
Patrick Quinn played in John Kearney with a fantastic pass over the Sorrento
defense. Kearney's lobbed cross was volleyed against the left post by the lurking
Marulanda and Aspden leaped up to grab the rebound at 29 minutes. Two
minutes later at the other end a Mikey Aspin free kick from the right was met by
McDonald, but his header was pushed past the right post by Dixon.
The Gustavos combined again in the 43rd minute, playing a nice one-two that led
to a shooting opportunity for Catarcione. Fortunately for the Gulls Daryl Platten
was alert to the danger and put in a brilliant last-ditch tackle.
Bayswater started the second half brightly, but couldn’t piece the Gulls rear
guard. Marulanda smashed his effort over on 60 minutes. At 65 minutes the Gulls
had strong claims for a penalty as Johny Mirco was taken out by Dixon after the
Gulls striker had lobbed over him. All frustration for the team in sky blue as the
ball bounced wide of the right post and referee Jasinski ignored the collision as
Dixon sheepishly retreated to retrieve the ball.
Bayswater often failing to exert extreme pressure on the Gulls, much to the
dismay of Coach Mauro Marchione. To Sorrento's credit they managed to limit
the visitors, and their much-vaunted strike force, to half chances on the edge of
the box. The closest they came to opening up the defense was when Catarcione
managed to poke the ball through to substitute Jack Wilkinson, who dragged his
shot wide.
Sorrento made Bayswater pay for their toothlessness in the 71st minute, Todd
Harnwell volleying straight inside the left post to a McDonald knockdown of a
Aspin free kick. The home team went wild in their clebrations.
A couple of free kicks and shots from distance were all the visitors could manage
as Sorrento squeezed the life out of the game in the closing stages. Bayswater,
who were second heading into this match, seemed more interested in fighting
with one another than fighting to win the match. This was in stark contrast to
Sorrento, who showed real character and team spirit throughout the ninety
minutes, and overtook their opponents on the league table with the victory.
After the game Sorrento assistant coach, Steve Neville paid tribute to the efforts
of his players, and looked ahead to next week's clash with Balcatta.
"We knew it was going to be a difficult game 11 v 11, and when we went down
to 10 it was even harder, but full credit to the lads, they were tremendous. They
did their jobs, they were disciplined and I thought we thoroughly deserved the 2-
0 win. It was a great team performance. I thought it was the best we've played all
season.
We looked at the three fixtures, starting last week with Floreat away, and the
two after that, as the benchmark of our season. We're going into next week with
plenty of confidence, four wins on the trot, so we'll be looking for another three
points next week."
RESERVES: SORRENTO 3 (Daniel Wright 35, Darcy Cosgrove 50, Dejan
Gurovski 75) v BAYSWATER 1 (Mundy Toure 71)
UNDER 18: SORRENTO 2 (Connor O’Hanlon 21, Lewis Gregson 73) v
BAYSWATER 4 (Gabriele Colli 10Billy Kabwe 55, Amir Ajan 84, Rhosto
Rametse 88)
Sorrento’s next Football West match is at home to Balcatta on Saturday, 2 June
at Percy Doyle Reserve, Beddie Road, Duncraig. Kick off times are 18s at 11am,
Reserves at 1pm and First Team at 3pm.
On Monday, 4th June Sorrento are at home to Melville in the quarter finals of the
Cup. Kick off times are 18s at 10am, Reserves at 12.15pm and First Team at
2.30pm.
Club and fixture details from Kerry Slater on 9448 5908
