Perth SC kept within touching distance of the top two on the PlayStation 4 NPL WA ladder on Saturday as Gustavo Catarcione’s hat-trick helped them record a comprehensive 5-0 win over Sorrento.
The Brazilian got the ball rolling with two first half goals in a dominant display from the hosts, before an own goal put them three up at the break.
Frank Furfaro netted early in the second half before Catarcione completed his hat-trick with a terrific finish from the edge of the area.
Coach Ramon Falzon marked the performance as his side’s intended benchmark.
“We’ve had other good performances this season where we’ve missed too many chances, but we know we’ve got the ability and if we can do it against a team like Sorrento we can do it against anyone,” he said.
Falzon also praised Catarcione for his display.
“When he’s on song, he’s very dangerous and has the ability to score goals for fun,” he said.
“He’s had a few games where the opposition has locked him down or he hasn’t been at his best, but it was good to see him hit top form today. He’s a very important player for us.”
The win puts Perth one point behind second-placed Floreat Athena, who lost 2-0 to Subiaco on the weekend in a round 20 upset.
In other matches on Saturday, ECU Joondalup beat Cockburn City 3-0 at home, Inglewood United made light work of Joondalup United with a 7-0 thumping at Percy Doyle Reserve and Bayswater City put two past a struggling Balcatta at Finance 365 Stadium to take home all three points.
Stirling Lions beat Perth Glory 2-0 at Macedonia Park while Armadale and Mandurah City played out a 1-1 draw at Alfred Skeet Reserve.
RESULTS
Armadale 1 (Skorich 41min)
Mandurah City 1 (O’Brien 45min)
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE
Bayswater City 2 (Ninkovic 45+min, Marulanda 86)
Balcatta 0
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE
ECU Joondalup 3 (Pickering 26min, Nicol 36, 58)
Cockburn City 0
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE
Floreat Athena 0
Subiaco 2 (Candlish 12min, Smith 49)
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE
Joondalup United 0
Inglewood United 7 (Dau 5min, 40, Woodall 38, 59, Rosindale 39, Keogh 82, Salmon 87)
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE
Perth SC 5 (Catarcione 21min, 26, 74, OG 44, Furfaro 53)
Sorrento 0
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE
Stirling Lions 2 (Micevski 45+min, Rubidge 77)
Perth Glory 0
FULL MATCH REPORT HERE