Report by Tommy Doleman

Pictured: Steve McDonald celebrates his goal. Photo: Football West News

Sorrento  came from a goal down to upset highflying Floreat Athena 3-1 in an action packed PS4 National Premier Leagues WA clash.

The hosts went ahead as Ludovic Boi continued his fine season in front of goal, but went down to 10 men when Dejan Aleksic was controversially sent off before halftime.

That extra man made all the difference as Sorrento turned it around in 12 second half minutes after James Morgan had saved Lewis McMahon’s spot-kick.

The visitors would also finish a man light after Daryl Platten was dismissed, but Jack Salter struck late on to complete a remarkable turnaround.

Coach Jamie Harnwell was delighted with the performance from his team, and a change of fortunes, having struggled for the goals earlier in the season.

“In the first half I thought it was going to be another one of those Sorrento days,” he said.

“We had the best chances, all the possession and then we ended up going 1-0 down.

“But it was a great show of character from the boys to get themselves back up and it was nice to get a bit of luck in the end.”

Centre half Steve McDonald was introduced midway through the second half in a tactical move from Harnwell that gave Sorrento the lead.

“Obviously they had their goalkeeper sent off, so a young lad went in goal and we wanted to test him,” he said on the decision to bring on McDonald up front.

“We got some good balls in the box and it was a great header from Macca to put us in front.

“You’ve got to score when you’re playing well. We haven’t done that enough this season, but today we managed to do it at the right times.”

Sorrento carved out the better openings in the first half, but it was Floreat who took the lead when Boi slalomed through the defence and slotted past Morgan.

But eight minutes later, the hosts lost their goalkeeper as Aleksic came off his line and clattered into Sean Canham, with the referee adjudging him to be the last man.

This gave the visitors fresh impetus and substitute keeper’ Fraser Greenwood did well to deny Canham, before Salter’s toe-poke was cleared off the line by Aryn Williams.

Floreat weathered that storm though, and had a chance to go two up from the penalty spot, when Brad McDonald bundled over Lewis McMahon in the area.

Morgan, though, was equal to McMahon’s spot-kick and the save proved even more crucial as Sorrento almost immediately drew level.

Jason Mirco released Canham with an excellent diagonal pass and the striker kept his cool to slot under Greenwood.

Canham then turned provider with seven minutes to play as he crossed from McDonald to plant a header across the goalkeeper into the bottom corner.

Platten saw red as the game was about to tick into stoppage time, but Salter was on hand to seal the win five minutes after the 90 as Floreat pushed men forward.

It’s a result that gives Sorrento momentum going into next week’s Westfield FFA Cup preliminary semi-final against Bayswater, and Harnwell is hopeful the win over Floreat can be a turning point for their season.

“We’ve got to make sure we take our chances against Bayswater and be up for the game, because we’ll have to play very well to beat them,” he said.

“It’s been a tough run of games, and we haven’t scored enough goals, but we’ve beaten Floreat and now we have to look ahead and get ourselves up the table.

“This club, and this squad, shouldn’t be where it is. Today was positive, but there’s a long way to go still.”

Floreat 1 (Boi 30’)
Sorrento 3 (Canham 71’, McDonald 83’, Salter 90+5)
Saturday 13 June 2015
Percy Doyle Reserve
Local Kick-off: 3:00pm

Floreat Athena: 1. Dejan ALEKSIC, 2. Bobby WILSON, 3. Jack ALLEN, 4. Aryn WILLIAMS, 6. Clayton ARNEZ, 11. Dennis GALAN, 12. Kris GATE, 14. Ludovic BOI, 19. Steve BURTON (10. Andrew SCALDEFERRO 59’), 20. Lewis MCMAHON, 33. David STOKOE (22. Fraser GREENWOOD 38’)
Substitutes not used:  8. Vinnie NIKTORA, 16. Greg HART, 18. Andrew XYDAS
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Aleksic 38’

Sorrento SC: 1. James MORGAN, 2. Danny CAIN, 4. Shaun KILKELLY, 6. Daryl PLATTEN, 10. Jason MIRCO, 11. Tom BOSS, 12. Jack EADES (13. Steve MCDONALD 71’), 18. Sean CANHAM, 19. Jack SALTER, 20. Brad MCDONALD (5. Adam LUCA 80’), 22. Lewis HALL.
Substitutes not used: 21. Jordan DODD, 24. Scott HOYLE, 61. Jordan BLANK
Yellow cards: Cain 57’
Red cards: Platten 89’