Two Steve McDonald penalties either side of a Scott Bulloch strike has seen Sorrento through to the quarter-finals of the Soccer Pools Cup at the expense of Wanneroo City, whom they defeated 3-0 at Percy Doyle Reserve on Saturday..

On a glorious autumn day neither side threatened early on although Sorrento enjoyed most of the possession. However, it took 24 minutes for the home side to carve out the first real chance of the game.

Scott Bulloch went on a trademark run down the left before getting to the byline and cutting the ball back for teammate Todd Harnwell who could only miss the ball as he attempted to shoot. A corner resulted and Glen Thomas’ left foot cross found Steve McDonald whose powerful header was well saved by Fraser Siddall in the City goal.

Four minutes before the break Sorrento had another chance to open the scoring. Wanneroo defender Nathan Diaz was adjudged to have fouled Todd Harnwell in the area. Scott Bulloch stepped up to the spot, but his penalty kick was well saved by Siddall who got down low to his right to deny him.

The penalty miss ensured both sides went into half time all square. The second half started similarly with Wanneroo’s physical tactics stopping Sorrento from playing their attacking brand of football.

But it was Bulloch who looked the most likely to break through the First Division side’s stubborn defence. In the 58th minute he somehow found space amongst a crowd of red shirts only for his fierce left-foot drive to be well saved by the advancing Siddall in City’s goal.

Sorrento finally took control of the game in the 69th minute when they were awarded another penalty by referee Paul Anderson after Ben Yates’ handball. It wasn’t Bulloch this time, rather Steve McDonald who stepped up to convert past Siddall and put Sorrento 1-0 up.

Two minutes later and the game was effectively over as a contest. Bulloch once again showed why he deserves to be in the WA State side with a weaving run through the middle of the park and a cracking left foot effort into Fraser Siddall’s bottom corner.

Wanneroo’s best and only real chance of the game came as late as the 83rd minute. Rowdy Yates left-footed free-kick from 20 yards looped onto the far apex of the Sorrento crossbar momentarily frightening Sorrento supporters.

However, Sorrento made sure there would be no lucky Wanneroo comeback five minutes into stoppage time when they received a third penalty. After such a promising performance, Fraser Siddall’s day was soured after receiving his marching orders for taking down Glen Thomas who was through on goal.

Stuart Siddall was then required to take his brother’s place between the sticks as City had used all three substitutes. It didn’t bother Steve McDonald who stepped up to slam home his second from the spot and seal a comfortable 3-0 victory for the Premier League leaders.

Teams
Sorrento: GK Ross, Kilkelly, McDonald, Cain, Banks, Flatt, Martin (Hill 62), Neville, Thomas, Harnwell, Bulloch.
Subs not used: York, Campbell, Trajkoski, Trpevski.

Bookings: Harnwell 31, Cain 83.

Wanneroo City: GKF. Siddall, S. Siddall, Diaz, B. Yates, R. Yates, McDonald, Miller, Slater, Davies (McEwan 76), Heraty (Cairney 53), Woodward (Booysen 76).
Subs not used: Holgate, Hindmarsh.

Bookings: Woodward 12, Slater 65, B. Yates 68.

Dismissed: F. Siddall 93.

Referee: Paul Anderson.

Football West Match Reporter – Ilija Mihalj