Trikala move closer to promotion, Big win for Ierapetra over Veria
Trikala moved closer to promotion after defeating Thesprotos while Ierapetra jumped into third place in the Football League after a vital, come-from-behind victory on the road against Veria. Ionikos had a comfortable afternoon at home to Olympiacos Volou.
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Trikala edged closer to promotion after defeating Thesprotos 2-1 at home on Saturday. The hosts opened the scoring in the 38th minute with Rizogiannis’ success spot-kick to give Trikala a 1-0 lead at half-time. The task became more difficult for Thesprotos in the 68th minute when Zourkos was sent off with a second yellow card offense. Thesprotos’ resistance broke down for a second time in the 85th minute as Pelkas’ marker doubled Trikala’s lead. The visitors only managed a stoppage-time consolation goal through Dalla Costa to concede a 2-1 defeat. The result keeps Trikala atop the standings with a three-point cushion over second-placed Ionikos and a six-point lead over now third-placed Ierapetra. Thesprotos are tied for ninth with Egaleo on 24 points.
Ionikos secured a 2-0 victory over Olympiacos Volou within 35 minutes on Sunday. The hosts opened the scoring in the 15th minute with Kritikos finding the back of the net from Matsoukas’ free-kick. In the 35th minute, Kouiroukidis netted Ionikos’ second goal of the game to give them a commanding 2-0 advantage. Kouiroukidis’ marker was the game’s last real goal-scoring opportunity for either side as Ionikos added three points to their tally and sit in second place, three points behind Trikala and three points ahead of third-placed Ierapetra. Olympiacos Volou are in eighth with 31 points.
Ierapetra recorded a massive 1-2 victory on the road over Veria to jump into third place of the Football League standings. Veria got off to a flying start as Pasas gave the hosts the lead in just the fourth minute of play. Veria had multiple chances to double their lead in the first half, but they failed to capitalize. The Macedonians were made to pay for those misses as Ierapetra turned the game around in 12 minutes. Both goals came from set-pieces with Chanti bringing matters level in the 54th minute, and Apostolopoulos gave Ierapetra the lead in the 66th minute. Veria again fought to equalize, but their chances went begging as Ierapetra recorded a vital victory. Ierapetra, now solely in third, are three points behind second-placed Ionikos while Veria’s hopes for promotion took a heavy hit as they loom in sixth (with Niki Volou) on 34 points.
In other action, Kavala moved into fourth place after their comfortable 3-0 victory over Ialysos while Diagoras defeated Egaleo 1-0 to jump into fifth place. Niki Volou played to a disappointing 2-2 draw with relegation-bound Triglia as Aspropyrgos recorded a key 1-0 win over struggling Kalamata.
