Report by Ryan Borrett

Sorrento's poor season took another downturn on Saturday as they were thrashed 5-2 at home by Perth SC in Round 15 of the National Premier Leagues WA.

The Azzurri took the lead early on at Percy Doyle Reserve and never looked like losing it after dominating a first half in which they scored three times.

Sorrento fared slightly better after the break but the damage had been done for Jamie Harnwell’s side, who are now back in the bottom three.

Perth have climbed up to fifth and coach Ramon Falzon was pleased to see his side return to winning ways following consecutive losses to Floreat in the FFA Cup and Perth Glory in the league.

“It was very important for us to bounce back today, losing in the FFA Cup on penalties especially hurt a lot,” he said.

“The quality showed and we’ve had a few young players out there in the last few weeks and they’ve done quite well.”

Perth opened the scoring in the 13th minute after a quick passing move started by Gustavo Catarcione found Paul Zimarino in the box. He flicked it back to Jordan De Leo who finished at the near post.

Catarcione doubled their advantage shortly after with a brilliant solo run to the edge of the box and low shot through the oncoming Sorrento defenders.

The prolific Catarcione got his second just before half-time after a one-two with Aleksander Jovic ended with a good finish to the bottom left.

Sorrento coach Jamie Harnwell said his side’s poor first half settled the match.

“You can’t give teams a three-goal head start, especially when you’re at home, and expect to get anything out of the game,” he said.

“We can’t give goals like that away continually, every week we’re needing to score three or four instead of just one or two.

The Gulls pulled one back on 52 minutes through an own goal from Harley Orr. After a scrambling patch of play in the Perth box, a poor clearance deflected back on to Orr and into his own net to make it 3-1.

Five minutes later Zimarino was taken down in the home side’s box by a poor challenge by Sorrento captain Daryl Platten and the referee pointed to the spot.

Orr’s first spot-kick was successful but the penalty had to be retaken. This was of no concern for the composed Orr, who calmly placed his shot to the bottom left-hand corner to make amends for his own goal.

The Gulls sensed Perth relaxing slightly after the penalty and they made it 4-2 when Reece Vittiglia delivered a great cross to Scott Witschge, who outjumped his marker to head home.

However Perth responded well after conceding and an excellent flowing attacking move late on resulted in their fifth goal as Matthew Milenkovic cut back for Zimarino to net.

Falzon said of Zimarino: “Over the past 12 months he has progressed to establish himself into a first-team player and he’s learning to become more effective.”

Sorrento 2 (Orr og 52min, Witschge 65)
Perth SC 5 (De Leo 13, Catarcione 23, 44, Orr pen 57, Zimarino 80)
Saturday, June 2
Percy Doyle Reserve
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Nico Hoyle
Assistant referees: Arvin Shanmuganathan, Simon Hicks

Sorrento: 1. James MORGAN, 4. Shaun KILKELLY (22. Danny JONES 70), 6. Daryl PLATTEN, 7. Alex MORGAN, 8. Scott WITSCHGE, 10. Jordan ROBERTS, 11. Timothy HILL, 13. Steve MCDONALD, 17. Reece VITTIGLIA, 18. Jordan BROWN, 21. Godwin DARKWA (3. Jaxon TEMATA 70)
Substitutes not used: 14. Charlie BREEN, 16. Chris BALAZS, 60. Anastasis FARSALEAS
Yellow cards: Kilkelly 35, Platten 56, Roberts 60
Red cards: Roberts 65

Perth SC: 1. Francis SOALE, 2. Alex SILLA, 5. Niccolo SABATINI (17. Frank FURFARO 85), 6. Harley ORR, 7. Aleksander JOVIC, 9. Gustavo CATARCIONE, 11. Matthew MILENKOVIC, 12. Jordan DE LEO, 16. Kieran COLWELL, 18. Richard HOWLES (3. Andreas THEODOSIADES 78), 20. Paul ZIMARINO (10. Nicholas AMBROGIO 81)
Substitutes not used: 21. George FESTA, 23. Malek KUC
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil