2.03.2010

Report by Chris Correia

For the second consecutive week, an off-season recruit has won the match for Western Knights, as the 2009 Minor Premiers defeated Sorrento 4-3 in a shootout at E&D Litis Stadium.

Stuart Montgomery was the hero for the Knights by scoring with five minutes left on the clock to clinch a spot in the Bam Creative Night Series Final next week.

Despite the Knights having all the play in the opening quarter hour, it was Sorrento that found the opener through the in-form David Foster.

A long ball from midfield found the striker who shot on his left into the bottom-right corner of the net, with the goal made easier when ‘keeper Frazer Siddall left his line very early.

Western Knights tried to immediately respond through Montgomery's set piece that curled into the right goal post, with the rebound falling to Anthony Campbell who missed the follow-up shot which travelled by the far post.

Sorrento soon came under fire as striker Billy Quinncroft was sent from the field by referee Steve Gregory with a straight red card after a stray arm caught Knights defender Garth Lecky.

Just five minutes later the Knights drew level though the returning David Price who last week quit the Perth Glory Youth team and proved his worth by neatly finishing past Sorrento ‘keeper Tom Woodhead.

The Knights synergy was soon on display as some lovely team interplay saw an inch-perfect cross from Montgomery found Price on the edge of the box, who chested the ball down for Paul Van Dongen to line up a shot which travelled just over the upright.

The pressure lifted on Sorrento as half time drew near with Daniel Micevski and Price continuing to batter shots at Woodhead.

A fingertip save by Woodhead after Price's shot was rewarded with a corner for the Knights and Daniel Micevski's resulting set piece increased his side's lead as Campbell headed the ball across the face of goal for Van Dongen to nod home over the line.

Western Knights' strong end to the first half was soon abruptly ruined when the second half kicked off as Foster nearly immediately brought 10-man Sorrento back on level terms.

The former Floreat Athena marksman outpaced the Knights defence and snuck a left-foot shot past Siddall to find the back of the net.

As the Knights regrouped it was Price who tried his luck at the target again, shooting from well over 30-yards trying to lob Woodhead.

The Sorrento shot-stopper was off his line and running backwards to get back, managing to get a finger to the ball to stop what would have been a major embarrassment.

The seesaw battle soon took another turn as Daniel Micevski put the Knights back in front after a lovely finish past Woodhead into the bottom-right of the net after being set up by fellow midfielder Simon Versaico.

Three minutes later and the Sorrento fans became ecstatic after midfielder Jason Mirco shot into the bottom-right of the target for a quick reply as Siddall saw the shot late and was unable to stop it.

Despite hanging on for nearly another 20 minutes, the Knights found the winner through Montgomery after Van Dongen's pass across the box was back-heeled for Montgomery to score the winner and secure a spot in the pre-season decider. 

Sorrento: GK Tom WOODHEAD, 2 Danny CAIN, 6 Daryl PLATTEN (4 Cameron YORKE 88'), 7 James MORGAN, 8 Alan BROWN (17 Jared LOVE 71'), 11 Jason MIRCO, 14 Ryan SHEPPARD (9 Todd HARNWELL 71'), 15 Kris DENNIS, 18 Glen THOMAS, 22 Billy QUINNCROFT, 24 David FOSTER

Substitutes not used: RGK Todd Ross, 19 Ross GIBBON 

Western Knights: GK Frazer SIDDALL, 2 Garth LECKY, 3 Duncan HIND, 4 Paul VAN DONGEN, 6 David PRICE, 7 Daniel MICEVSKI, 8 Daniel TRIM, 9 Simon VERSAICO, 10 David MICEVSKI, 11 Anthony CAMPBELL, 19 Stuart MONTGOMERY

Substitutes not used: RGK Grant HEARD, 12 Daanial FRANCIS, 13 Marco WARMT-MURRAY, 15 Francis ODONG, 17 Stuart SIDDALL