Interesting midweek round that saw reopening of the battle for avoiding relegation. Pobeda got defeated by Akademija Pandev, while both Pelister and Skopje celebrated to come on just a point behind the popular Monkeys. Shkupi and Sileks shared the points, while Shkendija defeated Rabotnichki.
photo by FK Vardar: Filip Gachevski denies Skopje a goal
Akademija Pandev are closer to securing their stay in the Macedonian top flight after they defeated Pobeda in the direct duel of the struggling teams. The team from Strumica celebrated the win on the stadium in Turnovo with a goal by experienced striker Baldovaliev after only two minutes.
Kukush stadium in Turnovo
Akademija Pandev – Pobeda 1:0 (1:0)
Goals: 2′ Zoran Baldovaliev
Referee: Jovan Kachevski (Struga)
Pelister also recorded a very important win in the battle for avoiding relegation, especially that Pobeda lost. Renova shocked the Bitola fans by breaking the dead lock, but the home players later turned the result around. The visitors managed to equalize on 2:2 but a late goal by Ristevski four minutes from time brought hope the the green&white team that avoiding relegation is still possible.
Pod Tumbe Pafe stadium in Bitola
Pelister – Renova 3:2 (1:1)
Goals: 38′ Bojan Ilievski, 54′ Borche Manevski, 86′ Dimche Ristevski – 15′ Medjit Neziri, 73′ Ljavrim Skenderi
Referee: Marjan Gocevski (Strumica)
Vardar continues to give away points. After the win against Sileks on Sunday, the former champions now fall to relegation struggling Skopje. A lone goal by Togolese international Dosseh scored just before half-time decided the winner. Skopje is in the same situation as Pelister, equal on points, and thanks to the defeat of Pobeda both are now just a point away from the relegation play-off spot occupied by the Prilep team.
National Arena Philip II of Macedon in Skopje
Vardar – Skopje 0:1 (0:1)
Goals: 45′ Koffi Dosseh
Referee: Faton Mustafi (Tetovo)
Shkupi and Sileks shared the point in a draw that saw both goals being scored in the opening twenty minutes. With four round to go, the Pigeons from Chair have a six point advantage over Pobeda. The home side is facing a possible stadium ban as after the final whistle the official cameraman was attacked and beaten by some of the home fans.
Chair stadium in Skopje
Shkupi – Sileks 1:1 (1:1)
Goals: 10′ Omar Imeri – 19′ Kristijan Filipovski
Referee: Aleksandar Stavrev (Skopje)
Rabotnichki visited champions Shkendija in Tetovo and suffered a heavy defeat. While the home team had a 2:0 lead the visitors were left with ten men in the 66th minute and at that moment died any minor hope for a positive result.
Gradski stadium in Tetovo
Shkendija – Rabotnichki 3:0 (1:0)
Goals: 22′ Stênio Júnior, 55′ Blagoja Todorovski, 84′ Armend Alimi
Red cards: 66′ Nehar Sadiki (R)
Referee: Igor Stojchesvki (Skopje)
1.MFL 2017/18
| Pos | Club | Pts | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Shkëndija | 91 | 36 | 29 | 4 | 3 | 101 | 27 | 74 |
| 2 |  Vardar | 56 | 36 | 16 | 8 | 12 | 53 | 41 | 12 |
| 3 |  Rabotnichki | 52 | 36 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 50 | 43 | 7 |
| 4 |  Shkupi | 51 | 36 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 51 | 46 | 5 |
| 5 |  Sileks | 50 | 36 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 30 | 37 | -7 |
| 6 |  Akademija Pandev | 42 | 36 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 43 | 47 | -4 |
| 7 |  Renova | 41 | 36 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 36 | 53 | -17 |
| 8 |  Pobeda | 38 | 36 | 10 | 8 | 18 | 36 | 56 | -20 |
| 9 |  Skopje | 35 | 36 | 7 | 14 | 15 | 24 | 43 | -19 |
| 10 |  Pelister | 34 | 36 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 37 | 68 | -31 |