Clay Gibbs was the star as Sorrento FC beat Dianella White Eagles 2-1 to win the State League Night Series.
Gibbs scored one and made the other to help Sorrento make the best start to life in the State League after dropping out of the NPL last season.
It was a cagey opening half before Gibbs struck with a stunning opener on 43 minutes. The youngster collected a lay-off from Luke Salmon and whipped in a shot from outside the box to put the Gulls ahead.
Dianella replied early in the second half with a great strike of their own from Roberto Soares. Eagles forward Andy Keogh won his side a free-kick on the corner of the area after being clipped, and the Irishman rolled the set-piece into the path of Soares, who curled in a terrific equaliser.
But just as Dianella seemed to be getting on top, Sorrento broke from defending a corner and scored again. Neil Kilkenny fed Michael McDougall, who in turn slipped the ball forward for the accelerating Gibbs to beat the offside trap, round keeper Peter Pilkadaris and square for substitute Keegan Chambers to bundle home.
Not long after, Gibbs won the ball near the touchline and sent Chambers clean through with only Pilkadaris to beat. This time the striker slipped his effort wide. In the end it did not matter, as Steven McGarry's side claimed the victory.
"We're a club that will give youngsters a go, so long as they merit it, and I'm delighted for the two boys who scored," McGarry said.
And to make the night even better, former Gulls player and current Reserves coach Shaun Kilkelly - just weeks after being in an induced coma with a serious head injury following a fall - joined captain Ryan McLaughlin in receiving the trophy from City of Canning Mayor Patrick Hall.
