)
The Harambee Starlets striker inspired her side to the crucial victory with a second half double
Harambee Starlets forward Esse Akida was the match-winner for PAOK Morris as she scored twice in their 2-0 win over Ergotelis in the Greek Women's Football League playoff on Saturday.
PAOK started strongly and threatened as early as the seventh minute with a dangerous shot by captain Thomi Vardali, which just went wide.
The PAOK skipper had another chance in the 34th minute when she tried to lob the opposition goalkeeper, but the ball ended up just over the post as the first half ended goalless.
At the start of the second half, Ergotelis had the first and only valuable chance of the match, which they failed to capitalise on against the run of play before Akida took control of proceedings.
PAOK went on the attack in the 48th minute, and after a swift passing move, Akida broke the deadlock with a nice diagonal shot to give Lefteris Kanata's side a much-deserved lead.
The Kenyan international then put the result beyond doubt 15 minutes from time with an excellent header, connecting well with Miktou’s pass, when she was left unmarked in the box.
“Glad to have grabbed a brace in our 2-0 win today (Saturday) to qualify for the next phase of the playoffs,” Akida said via a Twitter post after the match.
The former Thika Queens striker is one of the club’s leading scorers and won the league’s Golden Boot Award after bagging 17 goals from 18 games as PAOK won the championship last season.
PAOK maintained their unbeaten run in the playoffs, making it back-to-back wins as they bid to defend their top-flight title. They will be hoping to make it three wins on the spin when they take on REA away on April 21.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)