Premier

Perth (3) v Armadale (0)

ECU (2) v Fremantle Spirit (1)

Stirling Lions (3) v Wanneroo (1)

Inglewood (2) v Western Knights (0)

Cockburn (3) v Sorrento (1)

Floreat (5) v Swan IC (0)


First Division

Canning (2) v Morley (1)

Bayswater (1) v Rockingham (0)

Ashfield (0) v Gosnells (1)

Mandurah (4) v Queens Park (2)

Dianella (3) v South West Phoenix (3)


Reserves

Perth (6) v Armadale (1)

ECU (2) v Fremantle (3)

Stirling Lions (2) v Wanneroo (0)

Inglewood (5) v Western Knights (1)

Cockburn (1) v Sorrento (2)

Floreat (1) v Swan IC (1)


18s

Perth (7) v Armadale (1)

ECU (0) v Fremantle (0)

Stirling Lions (4) v Wanneroo (0)

Inglewood (1) v Western Knights (3)

Cockburn (0) v Sorrento (5)

Floreat (2) v Swan IC (2)


STATE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH REPORT
Saturday, 14 April 2007

Premier League

Cockburn City (3) v Sorrento (1)

Dalmatinac Park

Cockburn City started their 2007 League campaign in perfect fashion with a well deserved 3-1 victory over defending Champions Sorrento at Dalmatinac Park.

Scott Miller’s men had to do it the hard way though, trailing 1-0 at the break thanks to a Todd Harnwell strike after the speedy striker beat the offside trap to slot past Cockburn keeper Dino Pacella.

Sorrento keeper Neil Young was in inspired form and threatened to single handedly keep Cockburn at bay, however was eventually beaten by a Domenic De Felice penalty before strikes from Paul Natale and Johnny Mirco sealed the three points.

Steve Neville’s side, containing only three players from last season’s championship winning side, took the lead against the run of play; a long ball from the back by Cameron York released Harnwell whose pace and strength allowed him to beat the defender and roll the ball past the advancing keeper.

It was a blow to Cockburn, who had already seen early efforts from Josh Kamasz and Michael Mirco superbly blocked by Sorrento keeper Young.

On the stroke of half time, Sorrento almost delivered a knock out blow after Glen Thomas hit the post with a 22 yard curler after the ball was chased down and laid back by Harnwell.

Cockburn started the second half in first gear, but soon found their range on 55 minutes after a Mirco corner was headed towards goal by Wallace for the returning Liam Lilly to smash against the bar from eight yards.

Michael Mirco then saw a cheeky flick with the outside of his boot sail just over the bar before the turning point in the match on 73 minutes, keeper Young adjudged to have bought down Johnny Mirco in the area after being played through by Aaron Dos Santos.

Mirco looked to have knocked the ball wide whilst trying to round the keeper, before falling in a heap on the floor. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and showing Young the yellow card.

Domenic De Felice was the man charged with the duty of pulling Cockburn back into the match and he sent Young the wrong way to level the scores to the relief of the strong crowd on hand.

Three minutes later and Cockburn took the lead against a shell shocked Sorrento after Paul Natale headed home from four yards after a curling back post corner from Mirco.

Mirco, who was tormenting the Gulls defence in the second half, capped off the victory with a fine solo goal on 82 minutes, jinking into the box before skinning his defender and finishing powerfully past Young from the angle.

New Cockburn manager and ex Perth Glory player Scott Miller was pleased with the result although feared the in form Neil Young might cost his side three points.

“The way Neil Young was performing in goals today, to be honest with you I was very worried, he was brilliant all day and it took a couple of special goals to get past him” he said.

On the controversial penalty decision Miller was backing his player all the way.

“I asked Johnny Mirco after the game did he catch you and he said Young caught him with both feet, so I can only go on my players. I’ve got no doubts Youngy got a piece of the ball but that’s not up to us to interpret and I think that was the only way we were going to score past him to be honest” he said.

“Last week we played and weren’t presenting as well, but the boys were up for it today and it’s a good way to start” said Miller.

Squads:
Cockburn: Pacella (GK) M De Felice, Nunes, D De Felice, Kamasz, Wallace, J Mirco, De Bartolo, M Mirco, Lilly, Kuzet. Subs : Lopresti, A Dos Santos, Miletic, Natale

Sorrento: Young (GK), Poore, S McDonald, York, Watson, Gagorski, Flatt, Thomas, G McDonald, Worthy, Harnwell. Subs: Cochran, Wimbridge, Neville, Quinncroft, Trajkoski

Match Reporter: Ben Fitzpatrick