21.02.2010

Report by Chris Correia

Sorrento has defeated Balcatta 1-0 in a tight contest at E&D Litis Stadium to make it to the Semi Finals of the Bam Creative Night Series.

Following their meeting earlier in the competition, the match finished in an entertaining 3-3 draw, but goals were very hard to come by in this contest.

The deadlock was broken from an own goal after Sorrento ‘keeper Tom Woodhead launched an attack forward but the ball managed to bounce over the Balcatta defence and was inadvertently put into the net by Balcatta's Julian Piromalli.

Balcatta began strongly as they have throughout the Night Series with defender Anthony Jones launching a rocket on goal, only to be easily saved by Woodhead.

Ashley Rosindale continued to be Balcatta's main man and his through ball to Lucas Whitehouse in the opening stages looked like bringing the Sorrento defence undone, until Whitehouse's shot travelled just wide of the goal.

Minutes later Rosindale then cut the ball back into the path of Joey Woodin who had his effort saved by the resilient Woodhead.

The own goal soon came about to open the scoring, spurring Sorrento to come into the match soon after.

David Foster created the best chance of the first half for the Gulls when he found the unmarked Daryl Platten who fired on goal, only to see Balcatta goalkeeper David Khuen save the danger.

The second half saw Foster find the back of the net after bundling home a header over the goal line and the team's second was soon ruled out by the assistant referee, who ruled the Sorrento marksman offside.

Balcatta's Andy O'Neill tried to lift his side as the midfielder cracked a long-range effort that needed a fingertip save from Woodhead to deny an equaliser.

Sorrento continued to waste chances to increase their lead throughout the second half with Foster and Jason Mirco both missing their shots at the target.

It nearly ended in a nightmare for Balcatta when ‘keeper Khuen was well out of his area and brought down Foster as he was looking to score.

Referee Joe Fusari showed Khuen only a yellow card much to his relief and the final whistle followed not long after, with Sorrento bringing Balcatta's dream run in the Night Series to an abrupt end.

Balcatta: GK David KHUEN, 2 Adam STILLITANO (19 Guillian ZACCONI 77'), 3 Corey WILTSHIRE, 4 Anthony JONES, 5 Mark WALSH, 7 Ashley ROSINDALE, 9 Andy O'NEILL, 11 Nicholas TATASCIORE, 12 Joey WOODIN, 13 Lucas WHITEHOUSE, 16 Julian PIROMALLI

Substitutes not used: RGK Bobson KAROMA, 10 Tommy JONES, 15 Bobby KLENKOSKI, 18 Jack BARNHAM

Sorrento: GK Tom WOODHEAD, 6 Daryl PLATTEN, 7 James MORGAN, 9 Todd HARNWELL (17 Jared LOVE 91'), 11 Jason MIRCO, 12 Danny HILL, 14 Ryan SHEPPARD, 15 Kris DENNIS, 18 Glen THOMAS, 22 Billy QUINNCROFT, 24 David FOSTER

Substitutes not used: RGK Todd ROSS, 10 Ryan JEANS, 16 Danny TAYLOR, 19 Ross GIBBON