Force storm back to winners' list

Bunbury Forum Force striker Aiden Savory served up a sensational double in his side’s shock 2-1 victory over Sorrento at Payne Park on Saturday.

Savory, playing in just his second game back from an ankle injury, was outstanding against a star-studded Gulls’ line-up which included Perth Glory legend Jamie Harnwell.

It was a confident Bunbury outfit that took the pitch, a far cry from the side that was thrashed 4-0 by Bayswater City the previous match.

Aside from a 10-minute spell early in the first half, the home side controlled the ball with ease and created plenty of chances.

Bunbury’s best chance of the half fell to midfielder Michael Farmer who was delivered a pinpoint cross from Savory only to head the ball inches over the crossbar.

Scores were deadlocked at the break but it didn’t take long before Bunbury found the back of the net in the second half, with Savory cleverly chipping Sorrento keeper Curtis Aspden to open his side’s account.

One became two soon after when Aaron Brittain’s shot was saved by Aspden only to fall straight to Savory who made no mistake from 10 yards.

But Sorrento were not done with yet as they clawed their way back into the match through Harnwell, blasting one through after a goalmouth scramble to give his side some hope.

Bunbury’s back-four, led by skipper Steve Howson, held up well against the relentless pressure from Sorrento during an intense final 15 minutes.

The Gulls looked to have found an unlikely equaliser in injury time when Brodie Martin’s header beat Bunbury gloveman Ryan Montgomery but the linesman’s flag went up to deny the visitors.

Coach Alan Armstrong said it was good to get a win on the board after a tough month.

‘‘It was a good performance all round from the boys, we all dug in deep and it was a pleasing result,’’ he said.

The triumph was soured a little by a leg injury to Force defender Karl Boulton, who was stretchered off late in the first half.