A strong second half showing wasn’t enough to prevent Inglewood United from suffering a 2-1 loss to Sorrento on a bleak winter’s afternoon at Inglewood Stadium. Taki Nicolaidis admits his team were well below their best in the first 45 minutes but was pleased with how his players asserted themselves after the interval.
“Second half we came out and played and got back to somewhere around where our expectations are,” Nicolaidis said. “But (we were) well short today, especially with what is at stake. We’re still in front (of the league) and we’ve just got to make sure that we get back on the winning circle next week against Armadale.”
Sorrento were quick out of the blocks with Sean Canham opening their account with a close-range header after 5 minutes. The visitors lead was doubled midway through the half when Canham converted from the penalty spot after the striker was ruled to have been fouled by Jason Colli.
With Nicolaidis’ words ringing in their ears, Inglewood emerged for the second half with a greater resolve and focused on getting back in the game. Defender Scott Blackmore gave the hosts the lifeline they sought by heading in a Mark Pritchard cross from the right soon after the resumption.
Inglewood should have had a spot kick of their own when Jason Barrera’s free-kick struck the arm of Steve McDonald, however, referee Stuart Muldoon saw things differently. And in stoppage time Adam Tong’s goalbound header was spectacularly kept out by goalkeeper James Morgan to secure Sorrento all the points.
Match stats
Inglewood United 1 (Scott Blackmore 55)
Sorrento 2 (Sean Canham 5, 27)
Inglewood United: Alex Dunn, Adam Tong, David Cyrus, Scott Blackmore, Jason Colli (Jason Barrera 46), Josh Pereira (Tim Robertson 46), John Migas, Scott Witschge (Brian Woodall 75), Calum O’Connell, Mark Pritchard, Kenny Keogh
Sorrento: James Morgan, Ryan Pearson (Jordan Brown 94), Daryl Platten, Steve McDonald, Josh Tucker, Tim Hill, Nicco Sabatini, Alex Morgan (Reece Vittiglia 72), Brad McDonald, Matthew Sparrow, Sean Canham (Billy Quinncroft 91)
Bookings: Platten (33), Pritchard (41), Robertson (57), Sparrow (75), Cyrus (88), Quinn (92)
Dismissals: Sparrow (88)
