Both Metalurg and Vardar noted wins today, so the battle for first place remained unchanged.
Metalurg showed efficiency in Kicevo in a match that was supposed to be closer. Nevertheless, the visitors celebrated a convincing victory with Ilijoski’s hat-trick and the final goal scored by Nacevski. Ilijoski opened the scoreline early in the 2nd minute, doubled the lead in the 15th minute when he successfully converted a penalty, and scored his hat-trick in the 51st minute. Nacevski set the final score of 0:4 in the 62nd minute. Napredok played with 10 men after Balazi received a red card in the 15th minute that led to the penalty.
Vardar also celebrated a victory against newly promoted side Ohris. The 1st half was pretty even and neither team could create many chances so it was goalless at halftime. Vardar was the team in better physical condition and they went on to score two goals in the final 15 minutes. First, Milan Ilievski scored with a shot from about 25 meters in the 75th minute before new signing Predrag Ranđelović scored another goal from distance in the 85th minute to confirm the win for Vardar.
Sileks used the home field advantage to record a narrow 2:1 victory against Bregalnica. Borjan Stojanovski and Aleksandar Temelkov were on target for Sileks while Bregalnica’s lone goal was scored by Stojan Velinov.
Tomorrow, Renova faces Shkendija in Tetovo in a game that is expected to be attended by new Macedonian manager John Toshack. According to the latest rumors in Macedonian newspapers, Toshack and his assistants are expected in Tetovo tomorrow to watch the derby match between Renova and Shkendija. Toshack will closely watch Ferhan Hasani and Muhamed Useini, two players from Shkendija called up for the upcoming qualifiers, but the other players from both teams will also have an opportunity to impress Toshack and his assistant coaches.
Finally, on Tuesday, the fifth round will conclude with 11 Oktomvri looking for their first point of the season against Teteks while Rabotnicki hosts tricky side Horizont Turnovo which is led by former Mainz player Dragan Gjorgiev.
Macedonian First League Round 5 results and scorers:
Napredok – Metalurg 0:4
Baze Ilijoski 2′, 15′ (pen), 51′, Dragan Nacevski 62′
Ohrid – Vardar 0:2
Milan Ilievski 75′, Predrag Ranđelović 85′.
Sileks – Bregalnica Stip 2:1
Borjan Stojanovski 4′, Aleksandar Temelkov 73′ – Stojan Velinov 29′
Sunday at 16.30 CET
Renova vs Shkendija
Tuesday at 16.30 CET
11 Oktomvri vs Teteks
Rabotnicki vs Horizont Turnovo