Sorrento FC 0 Sydney FC 2

Sorrento FC 0

Sydney FC 2

(Smeltz 3’, Burgess 75’)

The West Australian PS4 NPL side made the worst possible start, conceding a penalty inside two minutes after defender Lewis Hall chopped down Robert Stambolziev.

Shane Smeltz, the ex-Perth glory striker and leading scorer at nib Stadium, expertly sent ‘keeper James Morgan the wrong way for an early lead.

Only the woodwork saved Sorrento from falling further behind before the break as first Matt Jurman and then Brandon O’Neill both hit the woodwork.

Jurman saw his header tipped onto the post from Chris Naumoff’s free-kick, while Morgan also pulled out a good save to push O’Neill’s curling strike against the bar.

The second half started much like the first as Stambolziev was brought down in the box by Todd Harnwell for another penalty to the visitors.

But this time Morgan read Smeltz perfectly, diving to his right to bat-away the penalty and keep Sorrento in the contest.

And Jamie Harnwell’s side was almost level 20 minutes from time when substitute Jack Salter was played through but his shot was straight at Vedran Janjetovic.

That miss would prove costly as Sydney substitute Max Burgess made the result safe with 15 minutes left with a fine finish from a tight angle to send the Sky Blues into the last 16.