Sorrento FC began life in the State League in convincing fashion on Saturday to open their Night Series campaign with a 4-1 win against Swan United.
The Gulls, who dropped down from the NPL last season, never looked back once Keegan Chambers put them in front inside a minute at Percy Doyle Reserve.
After that it was the Dean Cummings show, as last season’s player of the year scored a nine-minute hat-trick to have the hosts four up by the 26th minute.
With the Group A opener all but decided so early, things quietened down although Nicholas Burmej did pull one back for Swan early in the second half.
The other game in the group between East Perth and Murdoch University Melville, also at Percy Doyle, ended all square.
MUM FC, who won the State League Night Series in 2022, led twice through Patrick Sara and Ishmael Dawson, with Ryan Murray pulling the State League newcomers level on each occasion.
Former Perth Glory and Republic of Ireland striker Andy Keogh marked his debut or Dianella White Eagles with a goal as they beat hosts Wanneroo City 2-0. Paul Zimarino got the first as Dianella went top of Group D.
The first game in the group saw Joondalup City and Subiaco draw 2-2. Sam Rawlings netted the opener for City but Subiaco were soon on terms through Hasan Asadi. With a minute remaining Christian Miraudo looked to have won the game for Subi with a stunning effort, yet there was still time to City to save themselves and they did that thanks to Jayden Rowles’ calm finish after Emmanuel Emefiele's free-kick had hit the crossbar.
Cockburn City, who like Sorrento were relegated from the NPL, also picked up three points with a 1-0 defeat of Carramar Shamrock Rovers at Dalmatinac Park. Also in Group C, Gosnells City beat Balga 3-0.
The remaining Round One matches are scheduled for tonight.
Group B’s games are at Ashfield’s Paintseal Arena, where Joondalup United face Forrestfield United (5pm) then Ashfield go up against Kingsley Westside, who are now in Division One (7pm).
The Group E games are at Poolmart Mandurah Stadium, home of State League Night Series holders Mandurah City. The Dolphins begin against Kalamunda City (7pm), which follows the Rockingham City-Canning City clash (5pm).
Finally in Group F, Gwelup Croatia meet Curtin University (5pm) while Quinns meet UWA Nedlands (7pm). Both of these matches are back at Percy Doyle Reserve.
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