From Football West
Photo by Peter Simcox

Perth Soccer Club have made it a hat-trick of State League Grand Final wins after a thrashing Sorrento 7-0 in Sunday's All Flags Grand Final at Frank Drago Reserve.

Goals from David Onoforo and Andreas Oliveira gave Perth the lead at half time, but five more after the break, from Robbie Sciascia, Onoforo, Oliveira, Josh Wilkins and Adam Bachiller gave Gianfranco Circati's side the crown of Champions of WA football for 2011.

Skipper Onoforo was delighted with the victory. "I can't say enough about the players who played today and all that have given everything all season for our football club," said Onoforo.

"We were great today and to win the Grand Final for a third time is very special, and we're going to enjoy it tonight."

The Gull's came into the game in good form after beating Balcatta 3-0 last week, and went in unchanged from that side. Perth on the other hand made two changes to their starting line up with Oliveira returning from injury, while Robbie Sciascia replaced Josh Wilkins, who dropped to the bench.

It was Perth who was out of the blocks early and went close after only three minutes. Greg Sharland's pass picked out Onoforo, and his shot on the turn was deflected inches wide of the far post.

But on 12 minutes they did break the deadlock. Again it was Sharland who was the supplier, his quickly taken free kick caught Sorrento napping and Onoforo nipped in and fired low past Curtis Aspden from six-yards.

Sorrento looked to hit back immediately and two minutes later Shaun Timmins' cross from the left found Joe Allanson at the back post, but the striker's header flashed inches over the bar.

The Gulls continued to take the game to Perth and on 21 minutes Ryan Pearson's long ball over the top caught the Perth backline out and Todd Harnwell was in on goal, but keeper Jason Saldaris denied the Sorrento skipper with a smart save.

Then against the run of play Perth doubled their lead. Again it was Sharland who began the move, sending Trent Kay racing down the left. His cross into the penalty area found the unmarked Oliveira, who fired home from 8-yards.

It became heated on the pitch when a clash between Matt Danskin and Allanson saw a melee involving both sets of players, which referee Mathew Cheeseman soon sorted out and booked the Perth defender.

Both sides had late chances as the game opened up. First on 39 minutes Sorrento defender Pearson's cross-shot beat Saldaris but the ball crashed off the crossbar. The rebound fell to Timmins who crossed the ball back into the penalty area and Todd Harnwell saw his header go only inches over the top.

On the stroke of half time Josh Pereira sent Onoforo clear down the right. His cross found Oliviera whose first time shot was straight at Aspden who saved.

Sorrento opened the second half well and seven minutes in Danny Cain's free kick was headed back across goal by Jamie Harnwell, but Timmins' shot from 18-yards was blocked by Shaun Kilkelly and cleared.

Moments later they went even closer. Again it was Cain who made space down the left and crossed to Todd Harnwell, whose shot through a crowded penalty area was superbly saved by Saldaris.

That save was vital for Perth as three minutes later they made it 3-0. Sharland raced clear down the left, and his pinpoint cross found the unmarked Sciascia at the back post, and he fired home from 8-yards.

It became 4-0 two minutes later. Sharland again was found down the left and this time he picked out Oliveira at the back post, and he fired home.
Sorrento pushed men forward looking to get back into the game and they were caught out again on 70 minutes. Onoforo was sent clear down the left by Danskin, and his cross picked out the unmarked Wilkins, who had only been on the pitch for sixty seconds, and he fired home

Perth was dominating and went close again on 82 minutes. Oliviera sent Wilkins clear in on goal his shot was well saved by Aspden, the rebound falling to Onoforo, whose shot was cleared off the line by Jared Love.

It was 6-0 two minutes later. Onoforo picking out Adam Bachiller, and he finished clinically from the left of the penalty area.

Perth made it 7-0 in the 89th minute. Oliveira was sent clear by Dom de Felice and his shot was blocked by Aspden, but the rebound fell to Onoforo who fired home into an empty net, to round off a comprehensive victory for the Dorrien Gardens club. Perth midfielder Greg Sharland was awarded the ‘Gary Marocchi Medal' as best a field in the game.

Perth coach Gianfranco Circati was happy with the performance and to make it a hat-trick of Grand Final wins. "It was a big win. Any final I don't think should finish 7-0 and obviously everything went right for us and something went wrong for them. But this is the beauty of the final," said Circati.

"Obviously we were a little bit worried after the final of the Cup and we didn't want to lose this game, but I think we were ready for this. We had a little bit of luck but we played very well. I don't think it was the best Sorrento today but it was definitely the best Perth of the season."