Sorrento, Glory grab final semi spots in NPLM Night Series

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The semi-finals of the NPLWA – Men’s Night Series have been locked in following a dramatic last weekend of group games.

Olympic Kingsway will face Stirling Macedonia while Sorrento FC are up against Perth Glory. Both ties are at Percy Doyle Reserve this Sunday night.

With Olympic already through, eight other teams went into Round Five harbouring hopes of joining them.

Sorrento FC v Western Knights fotoenzo — Two-goal Joey O'Brien strikes for Sorrento FC against Western Knights. Photo by FotoEnzo

Stirling Macedonia were first to progress despite conceding a last-minute equaliser against Perth RedStar on Friday.

Andrew Palmer's late goal earned RedStar a 2-2 draw at Macedonia Park but ultimately it wasn’t enough for last year’s winners to advance.

Oliver Leeming gave RedStar the lead at the break before two goals in as many second-half minutes from Joshua Bilaloski and Samuel Dweh turned the game in Stirling's favour.

Stirling were joined in the semis from Group B by Sorrento FC after they beat Western Knights 3-2 at Percy Doyle on Sunday.

Both sides knew whoever won was going to progress and it was Sorrento who took early control thanks to two goals from Joey O’Brien. Kosta Sparta and Alex Pomeroy dragged Knights level and with a draw no good to either, the two teams chased the winner. That arrived six minutes from the end of normal time as Phoenix Lee came good for the Gulls.

The result meant Sorrento and Stirling finished joint top of Group B, equal on points, goal difference and goals scored. That meant the final positions were decided on who had received the fewer red cards during the five group games, so Sorrento took first place.

Olympic Kingsway v Balcatta Etna fotoenzo — Josh Samson, right, congratulates Joe Hobson on his goal for Olympic Kingsway against Balcatta. Photo by FotoEnzo

Perth SC came third in Group B with their 2-1 victory against Floreat Athena. Gordon Perkins and Ethan Banks were the Azzurri scorers after Owen Goodliffe had netted for Athena.

Meanwhile, in Group A, Perth Glory pulled off a 4-1 win over Armadale to leapfrog their opponents and steal second place.

Following a goalless first half at Alfred Skeet Reserve, a strong Glory side rocked the hosts with three goals in 15 minutes through Sebastian Despotovski (2) and Nathan Blair. Khoa Ngo added a fourth before Purvish Appadoo’s consolation for the hosts.

Olympic Kingsway underlined their grip on Group A with a 3-0 defeat of Balcatta Etna. Luke Hewings, Joe Hobson and Jonathon Leithead scored for Olympic who finished five points ahead of Glory.

The other Group A fixture was on Friday at Macedonia Park as Fremantle City beat Bayswater City 3-0. Sam Cook scored his second brace in as many weeks with Charlie Chechlacz also on target.