Canham double sinks the Athena
Report by Callum George
Sean Canham scored twice as Sorrento defeated fellow top four contenders Floreat Athena 2-0 at Percy Doyle Reserve in round 24 of the PS4 NPLWA on Saturday.
Both sides were fighting to secure a place in the top four and the intensity was high from the start in a must-win game.
Floreat came close early on when Dean Evans broke down the right and crossed for Mark Pritchard who fired inches wide of the post.
The visitors were beginning to take control, but Sorrento still looked dangerous on the break as Tim Hill tested Jason Saldaris from distance.
The Gulls did make the breakthrough on the half hour when Floreat failed to clear Pearson’s drilled cross and Canham headed home at the back post.
Scott Witschge almost doubled the host's lead five minutes into the second half when his long range volley rattled off the crossbar and away to safety.
Ryan Pearson was next to come close as he rounded the goalkeeper but skewed his shot just wide of the upright.
Floreat twice came close to equalising in quick succession, but James Morgan produced a fine double save to thwart headers from Jon Stynes and Ludovic Boi.
The visitors were throwing everything at Sorrento as they looked to keep their finals hopes alive, but Sorrento sealed the points on 79 minutes.
Sorrento won a free kick on the edge of the area and Canham stepped up to power in his second goal, as the hosts moved four points clear of Floreat with two games remaining.
Sorrento 2 (Canham 31min, 79)
Floreat Athena 0
Saturday, August 12, 2017
Percy Doyle Reserve
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Sorrento: GK. James MORGAN, 4. Shane KILKELLY, 6. Daryl PLATTEN, 8. Ryan PEARSON ( 5. Scott JOHNSON 67’), 9. Sean CANHAM (3. George HUNTER 90’), 11. Tim HILL (18. Jordan BROWN 85’), 13. Steve MCDONALD, 14. Scott WITSCHGE, 17. Reece VITTIGLIA, 20. Brad MCDONALD, 21. Sam BYLES
Unused Substitutes: 12. Joshua TUCKER, 60. Connor CAMPBELL
Yellow Cards: Steve MCDONALD 71’, Scott WITSCHGE 76’
Red Cards: Nil
Floreat Athena: GK. Jason SALDARIS, 2. Juma AWAKA (5. Bobby WILSON 81’), 4. Andrew SCALDAFERRO (13. Zelfy NAZARY 59’), 6. Jesse FULLER, 8. Jonathan STYNES, 11. Kristopher GATE, 12. Jackson MORGAN, 14. Ludovic BOI, 15. Christopher SALDARIS ( 3. Clayton ARNEZ 45’), 17. Dean EVANS, 33. Mark PRITCHARD
Unused Sustitutes: 18. Phillip ARNOLD, 23. Jordan BARBAS
Yellow Cards: Jason SALDARIS 78’
Red Cards: Nil
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