Hat-trick hero Aco Stojkov brought another win for Rabotnichki who is now just 3 points behind leaders Vardar who suffered the first seasonal defeat after losing by Renova.
Two games were played today of the Round 16, second to last before the long winter break. If few round ago the top seemed unattractive with Vardar leading with a huge advantage, now the battle for the title is back again.
Rabotnichki clinched an expected win over Bregalnica. But it was Aco Stojkov who shined scoring a hat-trick on this game. He started his show in the very first minute of the game. Since he joined the club in middle September, Stojkov played 10 games and scored 9 goals. He is the second best top-scorer of the Club Hero with 1 goal less than his offensive teammate Marjan Altiparmakovski. Ten minutes from time Rabotnichki added a fourth through Nigerian international Chuma Anene.
If Rabotnichki’s win was something very normal, Vardar’s defeat in Tetovo was totaly unexpected. The table leaders were outplayed and well beaten with the host team celebrating a 3:0 win. In the 31st minute Izair Emini missed a penalty but he opened the score on the rebound. The visitors failed to level the score and eventually the hosts doubled the lead 20 minutes from time converting a penalty kick this time taken by Agron Memedi. Just six minutes later Emini scored his second, cementing Renova’s win. For Vardar this was the very first defeat this season so there are no undefeated teams in the league anymore.
The leading top teams will have a decisive encounter next week when the Derby of Skopje is on the schedule.
Rabotnichki – Bregalnica 4:0 (1:0)
1′, 56′ (pen), 63′ Aco Stojkov, 80′ Chuma Anene
Renova – Vardar 3:0 (1:0)
31′, 76′ Izair Emini, 70′ (pen) Agron Memedi
Tomorrow at 13.00 CET:
Sileks vs. Shkendija
Teteks vs. Pelister
Metalurg vs. Turnovo