Inglewood United have failed to capitalise on their dominance for the second successive week, going down 2-0 to Sorrento this evening at Dorrien Gardens. Michael Garcia’s team enjoyed by far the better of possession, territory and chances on goal but when the final whistle sounded it was the Gulls who were celebrating courtesy of Jack Slater’s first half brace.
A series of attacking raids orchestrated by Scott Witscghe and David Sesay made clear Inglewood’s intention early. Unfortunately, that promise was tempered on 12 minutes by Salter’s dipping shot from 18-metres on the end of a Gulls counterattack. Witscghe came agonisingly close levelling with a fine shot on the run which rose over the crossbar.
The team in yellow continued to ask questions of their opponents’ defences with Witscghe stinging the gloves of James Morgan from a tight angle. Half-time was on the horizon when, against the run of play, Salter slotted into the bottom corner after Todd Harnwell reacted quickly to Aleks Vrteski’s under-hit defensive pass.
Inglewood was denied a penalty despite Witscghe clearly being clipped as he went past Morgan shortly after the resumption. John Thornley twice threatened to cut the deficit before Sorrento’s Brad McDonald rattled the crossbar. The day was best summed up by Ryan Clarke’s deflected shot which rolled along the goal line without crossing it seven minutes from the end.
The loss leaves Inglewood on the verge of an early exit from the Night Series, six points behind joint Group B leaders Perth SC and Cockburn City. While still a mathematical chance of qualifying for the semi-finals, they must win their last two qualifying games – against Perth (27 February) and ECU Joondalup (8 March) – and rely on results elsewhere to go in their favour.
Match stats
Inglewood United 0
Sorrento 2 (Salter 12, 41)
Inglewood United: Aleks Vrteski, Jason Colli, Jovo Pavlovic, Scott Blackmore, Jarrad McNally, David Sesay (Ryan Clarke 53), Josh DeMarte (Hayden Dodgson 46), Greg Sharland, Scott Witschge, Abdul Sesay, John Thornley (James Atkins 74)
Sorrento: James Morgan, Ryan Pearson, Steve McDonald, Danny Cain, Scott Hoyle, Jordan Dodd (Razack Geloo 77), Jack Eades, Brad McDonald, Nicco Sabatini (Liam Peacock 65), Jack Salter (Thomas Boss 67), Todd Harnwell
Bookings: Steve McDonald (16), Dodgson (53), Blackmore (58), Clarke (87)
Dismissals: Nil
