Clinical Lamia too strong for Panetolikos
SUPER LEAGUE PLAYOUTS - MATCHDAY 1
Two excellent goals secured an important 2-0 win for Lamia against Panetolikos in the Super League playouts.
Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage with Go Greek TV!
Clinical with their opportunities, Lamia managed to notch their first Super League victory since early January, with Leonardo Villalba registering the winning goal in the first half. Substitute Miguel Bianconi sealed the deal for Lamia with a second marker in the 78th minute.
As a result of this win, Lamia occupy third position in the playout standings with 30 points on the board, but Panetolikos are down in seventh spot with 17 points.
After an initial slow start to proceedings, openings began to appear at both ends of the pitch, as Villaba’s header was saved and a curling shot from Farley Rosa was turned aside by Damir Kahriman.
Lamia did make the breakthrough in the 29th minute.
On the counter, Christos Aravidis sent a clever pass across to the lurking Villalba, who calmly slotted into the gaping right corner.
Not long later, Ibrahima Niasse headed a corner over for Lamia, before Andreas Vasilogiannis missed the target when almost clean through.
Nevertheless, Panetolikos improved as the match progressed, creating a handful of promising chances from set pieces. Alexandros Malis somehow headed past the right post when connecting with a free kick.
At the start of the second half, Kevin Garcia had an ideal chance to draw Panetolikos level, but he could only thump a header well over the bar.
However, as time wore on, Panetolikos rapidly ran out of ideas and were subsequently hit with a killer second Lamia goal.
Miguel Bianconi, who had only just been introduced as a substitute for the hosts, lashed an instant attempt beyond Jesus Fernandez from close range after receiving a low pass.
With four minutes remaining, Bianconi came close to his second when taking aim from distance, but it made little difference to the outcome as Lamia comfortably saw the game out.
Next week, Lamia will face Atromitos in Peristeri, while Panetolikos will play against AE Larissa at home.
