In a goals galore match Tikvesh was better than Labunishta with 6:3 and will enter the promotion play second round against Sileks.

photo by GFK Tikvesh Kavadarci: moment into the match

Under rainy weather in Skopje took place the first round of the play-off for filling the first league. Second league Esat and West runners-up Tikvesh and Labunishta faced each other to decide who will go on to challenge Sileks in the final.

In form Tikvesh immediately showed their promotion candidacy. After just eight minutes of play the Kavadraci based team broke the dead-lock. After a corner kick the ball reached the far post where defender Ilieski put it in the net. Shortly after, in the 15th minute captain Mojsov took a great free kick and doubled the lead. Tikvesh continued the furious play and just five minutes later added a third. An action starting from keeper Igeski ended with winger Ivanovski placing the ball through Mirseloski’s legs.

That third goal was a wake-up call for the shocked players of Labunishta. Mitrev brought down Spirksoki in the box in the 22nd minute allowing the opponents to take a penalty kick. Klechkaroski stepped in and with a great shot left Igeski no chance. After that goal Labunishta started playing much better and created few chances but the 3:1 did not change before the half-time break.

Just two minutes into the second half and the spectators saw another penalty kick. This time Ivanovski won a kick from the spot after Minovski brought him down. Mojsov converted the penalty bringing back a three-goal lead. If that was not enough to proclaim Tikvesh a winner of this tie, then Delov’s goal in the 59th minute definitely put an end to every little hope that had left in Labunishta’s players and fans.

However, that goal wasn’t the last today. In five minutes both sides added one more. First Redjepi scored a second for Labunishta in the 64th minute, while four minutes later Mitrev added a fifth for Tikvesh. In the last minute of the match the referee awarded a second penalty kick for Labunishta with Klechkaroski once again beating Igeski to set the final score of 6:3.

Highlights:

Now Tikvesh continues on the promotion road as on Wednesday they will face Sileks, the eight-placed team in the first league. The winner of that match will earn a spot for next season in the Macedonian top flight. Second relegation for three times champions Sileks or top flight come back for Tikvesh after long 15 seasons.

Gjorche Petrov stadium in Skopje
Tikvesh – Labunishta 6:3 (3:1)
Goals: 8′ Darko Ilieski, 15′, 48′ (pen) Gjorgji Mojsov, 20′ Ivan Ivanovski, 59′ Metodija Delov, 67′ Vasko Mitrev – 23′ (pen), 89′ (pen) Igor Klechkaroski, 64′ Nedjmi Redjepi
Tikvesh: 92. Danail Tasev (1′ 1. Aleksandar Igeski); 5. Metodija Delov, 7. Ivan Ivanovski, 8. Marjan Tashkov, 9. Igor Gjorgjiev, 10. Gjorgji Mojsov (C), 19. Marjan Ristovski, 21. Aleksandar Varelovski (46′ 2. Kristijan Rizov), 22. Vasko Mitrev, 25. Petar Najdov (37′ 11. Robert Mitev), 32. Darko Ilieski.
Labunishta: 20. Ermir Nura (C) (1′ 20. Raif Mirseloski); 2. Darko Simjanoski, 3. Sasho Gjoreski, 4. Miroslav Jovanoski, 10. Nedjmi Redjepi, 11. Samed Kadrioski, 14. Blagojche Konjarski, 15. Dejan Leskaroski, 17. Nikola Minovski (50′ 9. Klime Dalcheski), 19. Bojan Spirkoski (35′ 5. Ilija Dalcheski), 45. Igor Klechkaroski.
Yellow cards: Ilieski, Mojsov (T), Konjarski, Kadrioski, Dalcheski, Gjoreski, Klechkaroski, Jovanoski (L)
Red cards: /
Referee: Aleksandar Stavrev (Skopje)
Assistants: Marjan Kirovski & Dejan Kostadinov (Skopje)
Fourth official: Marjan Mladenovski (Skopje)