Own goal seals Sorrento win in Northern Derby
Report by Colin Outhwaite
An own goal sealed ECU Joondalup’s fate as Sorrento won the second northern rivalry of the season 3-1 at ECU Joondalup Football Stadium on Saturday.
Bayley Montgomery and Sean Killkelly scored respectively for their sides in the first half, before Brad McDonald put the Gulls ahead and an own goal added to their tally.
Along with other injuries, suspensions and absences, centre-back Charlie Comyn-Platt came off at half time with a groin strain, leaving ECU with a number of reserve players for a relatively quiet northern derby.
“Having a lot of younger guys in the squad, it was never going to be as fierce,” said ECU coach Dale McCulloch.
“I thought they stood strong for a good part of the game and they’ll take a lot away from playing against seniors in a rivalry round.
“We’ve been pretty unlucky all year with squad numbers, but this has been the worst so far.”
Montgomery put the home side in front in the games first real attack when he slid in to meet Joe Smith’s cross in the 11th minute.
The lead didn’t last long as Killkelly headed in Jack Eades’ deep free kick eight minutes later to make it 1-1.
With one eye on the Westfield FFA Cup, coach Jamie Harnwell brought on wingers Thomas Boss and Daryl Platten just after the hour mark.
“We’ve been wanting to make sure our top players have got a lot of minutes left in them for the match in a couple of weeks,” he said.
“And they came on and did exactly what you’d want them to do – make an impact.”
Boss twice set up Jack Salter to be denied by goalkeeper Andy Banks before firing a half-volley narrowly wide himself in the 71st minute.
Sorrento capitalised on the momentum and Salter laid off a ball for McDonald to smash home from the edge of the area in the 75th minute to continue his recent scoring form.
Banks did well to keep the deficit down, but could not prevent an own goal three minutes later when Cian Hirrell accidentally tapped in Boss’ dangerous ball across goal.
“To be fair to those kids, they really worked their socks off,” Harnwell said.
“We controlled the game for most of it but we didn’t really feel comfortable till the end.”
ECU Joondalup 1 (B. Montgomery 10 MIN)
Sorrento 3 (Killkelly 19 MIN, B.McDonald 75', OG 78’)
Saturday 18 July 2015
Venue: ECU Joondalup Football Stadium
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistant referees: Liviu Katona, Rory Jackson
ECU Joondalup: 20. Andy BANKS (gk), 2. Jack McMASTER, 3. Jon HIGGINS (C), 4. Charlie COMYN-PLATT (10. Ben WANTEE 46'), 5. Kye DOUGLAS, 6. Paddy DOYLE, (9. Jake DAVIES 74'), 7. Ronald RIXER, 8. Joe SMITH, 11. Bayley MONTGOMERY (12. Ryan MALTON 80'), 13. Tommy AMPHLETT, 18. Cian HIRRELL
Substitutes not used: 6. Harry BISSETT, 9. Jake DAVIES, 12. Ryan MALTON, 16. James BRUCE, 21. Scott WALLIS,
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
Sorrento: 1. James MORGAN (gk), 4. Shaun KILKELLY, 8. Ryan PEARSON (6. Daryl PLATTEN 65'), 9. Todd HARNWELL (49. Conor DOCAN 90 + 2'), 12. Jack EADES, 13. Steve MCDONALD (c), 15. Scott BULLOCH (11. Thomas BOSS 65'), 18. Sean CANHAM, 19. Jack SALTER, 20. Brad MCDONALD, 22. Lewis HALL
Substitutes not used: 60. Jordan BLANK (rgk), 24. Scott HOYLE, 49. Conor DOCAN
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
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