Goalless draw between Iraklis and Panachaiki, Second straight loss for Volos NFC

GREEK FOOTBALL LEAGUE - ROUND 19

Volos NFC were handed a second consecutive defeat while Iraklis and Panachaiki played to a disappointing goalless draw. Apollon Larissas increased their lead in second place as Kerkyra fell further behind in the table after drawing AE Karaiskakis.

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Leaders Volos NFC suffered their second defeat in successive matches, falling at home 1:4 to AOX Kissamikos in the weekend’s most surprising result. After a goalless first half, the hosts were left with ten men when Galitsios (48) was shown a second yellow card and ten minutes later, AOX Kissamikos made the advantage count when Riski found the back of the net. Volos NFC were quick to respond with Mantzis’ (64) equalizer, but three goals in the final 19 minutes of play for the Cretan side gave them the impressive win. Kouskounas put AOX Kissamikos ahead in the 71st minute and Riski added his name to the scoresheet for a second time eight minutes from the end. Saliakas added the icing on the cake in second half stoppage to write the final scoreline at 1:4. Despite the result, Volos kept a comfortable, eight point cushion however their form will need to improve in order to maintain their distance from the rest of the pack. AOX KIssamikos move into eighth place with 27 points, taking a giant leap away from the drop zone.

In the weekend’s most anticipated matchup, Iraklis and Panachaiki played to a goalless draw. It was a rather uneventful match as the result benefited neither side. Panachaiki, who are looking to finish in second place, sit in third tied with Platanias on 32 points while Iraklis, who have now gone five games without tasting victory are down in ninth with 24 points.

Second placed Apollon Larissas did their job on the road against strugglers Sparti, taking down the Laconia side 0:2 rather comfortable. Skoupras opened the scoring in the 59th minute and Lucao added an insurance marker three minutes from the end as the Thessaly club moved four points clear in second place, ahead of Panachaiki and Platanias. Sparti are second form bottom and are heading for relegation.

Platanias moved back into third place, tied with Panachaiki, after defeating Apollon Pontou 3:1. Miguel opened the scoring for the hosts in the 32nd minute, but the lead was short lived as Sountoura equalized just a minute later. In the second half, Miguel (67) re-gave Platanias the lead and despite falling to ten men when Karagounis was shown his second yellow card (76), the Cretans sealed the win three minutes from the end through Tarik. The result sees Platanias jump ahead of their opponents, who moved down to sixth place.

Kerkyra’s hopes for a second place finish took a heavy blow after playing to a 1:1 draw away to AE Karaiskakis. The hosts opened the scoring in the ninth minute through Tzioras and it looked as if that goal was going to be enough for the three points, however Pasas equalized in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time to salvage a point for the islanders. Kerkyra sit in fifth place while AE Karaiskakis are down in eleventh and hoping to escape the drop.

In other action, Aittitos Spaton continued their late surge by defeating relegation bound Aiginiakos 1:0, while Ergotelis will be dissapointed with a 1:1 draw away to Trikala. Irodotos and Doxa Dramas also shared the points in a goalless encounter.

by Sarantos Kaperonis

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