There is little room for error in the State’s top-flight soccer league in 2014.
The fourth-placed Gulls defeated second-placed Perth last weekend to leave them just five points shy of top spot.
A win against ECU Joondalup in this weekend’s derby clash could move Sorrento to third place.
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READ NOWIn contrast, the Jacks felt the full impact of a loss in a close title race when they slipped from sixth to seventh after Floreat Athena overcame them 4-1.
It was a stinging defeat for ECU, which would have been within striking distance of the top five had it won the clash.
Sorrento’s win was perhaps its most important of the season.
Had it lost the match, it would have been at risk of slipping to fifth position – the edge of finals contention.
Instead, it’s in touch with top spot.
Sorrento co-coach Jamie Harnwell told nplwa.com.au the side had ‘dug in’ when under pressure.
‘I thought the first half was some of the best football we’ve played this season and we got the reward on the scoreboard,’ he said.
Given the critical ladder positions of Sorrento and ECU Joondalup, it’s looming as a season-defining derby clash at Percy Doyle Reserve this Saturday.