The 22nd edition of the Macedonian First League officially got under way Sunday with most of the favorites taking care of business.
Metalurg and Rabotnichki shared the points in a goalless draw in one of the derby matches played today. Both teams enter the season with high ambitions, but both failed to score and only shared the points in the opening round of the campaign.
Horizont Turnovo celebrated a convincing win against Shkendija in Tetovo. Shkendija signed several new players before the start of the season, but they were not eligible to play today and Horizont Turnovo had a relatively easy time. A brace by Baldovaliev and one more goal by Blazhevski from the penalty spot created Turnovo’s comfortable 0:3 win.
Pelister opened the season with a home win against newly promoted side Gorno Lisiche. Defender Hristijan Dragarski was the scorer of the lone goal of the match after an excellent set up by Aleksandar Anastasov.
Gostivar was unable to get at least a point in their debut in the first league against Bregalnica. The visitors from Shtip grabbed the three points with a 0:1 win.
In Kichevo, Napredok and Renova shared the points in a 1:1 draw. Renova had the lead with Emini scoring the first goal of the new season, but after Mishkovski was sent off, Napredok managed to equal the score with Mojsovski’s goal.
Vardar started the new campaign with a win as well, defeating First League returners Makedonija Gjorche Petrov. Kostovski scored a hat-trick, but also saw a penalty saved by Aleksovski, while captain Bojović added one more, while Makedonija’s consolation goal was scored by Adem before the end of the first half from a penalty.
Metalurg – Rabotnichki 0:0 (0:0)
Shkendija – Horizont Turnovo 0:3 (0:1)
Zoran Baldovaliev 71′, 90′, Dejan Blazhevski 83′ (p)
Pelister – Gorno Lisiche (1:0) (0:0)
Hristijan Dragaski 63′
Gostivar – Bregalnica Shtip 0:1 (0:0)
Eftim Aksentiev 75′
Napredok – Renova 1:1 (0:1)
Vladimir Mojsovski 77′ – Izair Emini 16′
Vardar – Makedonija Gjorche Petrov 4:1 (2:1)
Radenko Bojović 8′, Jovan Kostovski 35′, 72′, 80 – Ermedin Adem 40′ (p)