PAOK U19s started strongly into the encounter, dominated ball possession and searched for the opener from minute one. The visitors concentrated on their defensive duties, trying to close spaces. They only had one opportunity to score in the first half.

Pablo García’s troops had a tough time against the Agrinio outfit who were defending in numbers, but managed to score anyway in the 29th minute. Tzovaras produced a killer cross from the left and Doumtsis made it 1-0 with a simple tap-in.

The home side sealed their half in ideal fashion, as Doumtsis scored a second in the 40th minute. He collected the rebound after Panetolikos’s goalkeeper denied Gaitanidis.

The “Double-Headed Eagle” aimed to finish off the encounter after the interval. Doumtsis went for the hat-trick, but was first denied by the woodwork and, after getting the rebound, he saw his finish being ruled out on the off-side rule.

Panetolikos reduced distances in the 57th minute with a spot kick, but were reduced to 10 men three minutes later. Voutsas teed up Gaitanidis who was brought down outside the area with only the goalkeeper to beat.

It all spelled a walk in the park for PAOK from then on, but the Agrinio outfit caught rival defenders off guard and made it 2-2.

Despite the setback, PAOK youngsters didn’t give up and pushed for the winner with patience and a clear head. The match was decided during stoppage time. Lyratzis crossed from the right, Pournaras headed the ball home for the 3-2 win, landing a valuable three-pointer that keeps them at the top of the U19 Super League standings.

PAOK U19: Papadopoulos, Τachatos, Lyratzis, Diamantis, Μichailidis, Τsiggaras, Salamouras (55’ Pournaras), Voutsas (85’ Xifilinos), Doumtsis, Gaitanidis, Tzovaras (70’ Panidis).