The game was previously postponed the day before due to weather conditions which made the pitch unplayable. But when things got underway today, the hosts looked perhaps more determined, and they managed to achieve an important victory thanks to the goal they scored mid-way through the first half.

PAOK fell behind in the 21st minute, and once again the damage was done from a set piece, when Bourganis parried Bengoa’s foul which allowed Ballas to score from close range and make it 1-0 to Anagennisi.

The Double-headed Eagle tried to respond, coming close to an equalizer in the 37th minute, but Tzimas saw his header saved by Gekas. The next chance came the way of the home side an they had the ball in the net via the head of Guinness, but the referee ruled the effort out because it was preceded by an attacking foul.

The heavy pitch was not condusive to good football as both teams struggled for rhythmn. The match remained delicately balanced with PAOK pushing for the goal, but without managing to threaten the visitors’ goal. At the other end of the pitch, the hosts came close to a second goal in the 53rd minute with Brabia’s shot hitting the crossbar.

Team lienups:

PAOK B: Bourganis, Kaloutsikidis (72′ Tsopouroglou), Panagiotou, Tachatos, Apostolopoulos, Salamouras, Ouentraogo, Tsaousis (85′ Smyrlis), Gaitanidis (32′ Chatzistravos), Tzimas (72′ Gordeziani), Koutsias (72′ Panidis).

Anagennisi Karditsa: Gekas, Koutromanos, Kotsonis, Golias, Stamopoulos, Ballas (74′ Kariki), Plegas (65′ Vidal), Dimoutsos (83′ Karanikas), Bengoa (83′ Politis), Brabia (65 ‘Koutsianikoulis).