The battle for avoiding relegation remains open as Rabotnichki beat Makedonija GjP, Sileks edged Vardar, Belasica won a point at Shkupi, while Renova and Akademija Pandev shared the points. In the only match without importance, Shkendija with a combined team celebrated over relegated Pobeda.

photo by FK Rabotnichki Skopje: goal celebration of the players of Rabotnichki

After six winless round (5 defeats and a draw) eventually Rabotnichki recorded a win. They defeated the Lions, direct rivals for the 4th place. The deadlock was broken after ten minutes when Brazilian international Bianor scored an own goal on a header after Blazhevski’s free kick, while Ackoski doubled the lead later. The first half score did not change after the break.

The own goal:

National Arena Toshe Proeski in Skopje
Rabotnichki – Makedonija GjP 2:0 (2:0)
Goals: 10′ (og) Bianor, 31′ Kristijan Ackoski
Referee: Aleksandar Stavrev (Skopje)

Very interesting battle took place in Skopje’s Chair neighborhood between Shkupi and Belasica. The visitors entered the match as currently most inform team with 4 winds and two draws in the last six rounds. The Pigeons took an early lead through Turkish international Ustabaşı, but the Kangaroos equalized with a real masterpiece by Serbian defender Maslać. Just two minutes after the break Bajrami brought the lead back to the home side. The visitors once again leveled the score, this time through Gorgiev. That goal happened to be last.

Chair stadium in Skopje
Shkupi – Belasica 2:2 (1:1)
Goals: 7′ Berat Jonathan Ustabaşı, 47′ Muharem Bajrami – 35′ Mario Maslać, 60′ Pepi Gorgiev
Referee: Josip Barton (Skopje)

Sileks continues the hopes for avoiding not just direct relegation but the play-out match as well. A converted penalty by Gorgiev in the first half was enough to beat Vardar for important three points. Since Belasica did not win today, now Sileks is three points away from the relegation zone. For Vardar today ended the 13 matches undefeated run.

Players congratulate Georgiev for the converted penalty; photo: FK Sileks Kratovo

Sileks stadium in Kratovo
Sileks – Vardar 1:0 (1:0)
Goals: 33′ (pen) Boban Georgiev
Referee: Marjan Markoski (Ohrid)

Renova hosted cup finalists Akademija Pandev in a match that ended with each scored one goal. Both goals came in the opening half. The hosts needed the points while the Academics played a routine match since they have already clinched the third spot that leads into the Europa League qualifications.

Gradski stadium in Tetovo
Renova – Akademija Pandev 1:1 (1:1)
Goals: 40′ Emran Ramadani – 11′ Daniel Milovanovikj
Referee: Konstantin Vlaho (Skopje)

Relegated Pobeda welcomed champion Shkendija on a neutral field in the town of Kochani, more precisely at the stadium of Osogovo. The visitors, having clinched the second consecutive title, fielded a combined team of youth and reserve players. Despite the combined team, the holders had no problems beating Pobeda and even scored four goals. The hosts missed a penalty kick right after the break when Makota’s shot went wide. The penalty came just after the break when Blagoja Todorovski in keeper style with hand interrupted an effort by Makota.

Nikola Mantov stadium in Kochani
Pobeda – Shkendija 1:4 (1:3)
Goals: 19′ Trajche Efremov – 10′ Arbin Zejnulai, 12′, 40′ Shefit Shefiti, 57′ Jakup Berisha
Referee: Marjan Stojanovski (Kichevo)

1.MFL 2018/19

Pos	Club	Pts	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD
1	Shkëndija	79	36	24	7	5	80	29	51
2	Vardar	64	36	17	13	6	45	23	22
3	Akademija Pandev	58	36	17	7	12	45	35	10
4	Shkupi	48	36	13	9	14	40	42	-2
5	Renova	47	36	12	11	13	53	49	4
6	Makedonija GjP	47	36	12	11	13	45	50	-5
7	Rabotnichki	46	36	13	7	16	43	49	-6
8	Sileks	44	36	11	11	14	27	39	-12
9	Belasica	38	36	9	11	16	37	49	-12
10	Pobeda (2010)	23	36	6	5	25	26	76	-50