The Škëndija team from Aračinovo won three important points away in Kumanovo against Bashkimi, celebrating a 2-1 victory thanks to the in-form brace scorer Enis Fazlagić. After 385 full minutes of play in the top flight, the hosts finally managed to find the back of the opposition net, but that goal was still not enough to avoid another defeat.
The visitors made an excellent start to the match and took the lead in their first serious chance in the 8th minute. The new reinforcements immediately made a difference on the pitch, as Remzifajk Selmani provided the assist and Enis Fazlagić beat the opposing goalkeeper with a powerful and precise shot from around 11 metres.
Bashkimi threatened for the first time in the 16th minute through Luis Ribeiro, whose long-range effort narrowly failed to surprise the goalkeeper. However, with their second attempt in the 25th minute, the hosts equalised at 1-1, when Ribeiro brilliantly took the free-kick to score his team’s first goal of the season.
The remainder of the first half brought an open game with chances at both ends. Mevlan Adili and Remzifajk Selmani threatened for Škëndija following corner kicks, while Bashkimi, through Maimona’s quick counterattack and Stafa’s long-range effort, failed to completely turn the score around.
The visitors restored their lead in the 44th minute. Besir Demiri broke through down the left and assisted Fazlagić, whose first effort from the goal line was cleared by Fati Ismaili, but in the continuation of the move following the corner, Fazlagić headed home his second goal to make it 1-2.
Bashkimi came out more strongly in the second half and threatened first through Adis Murati, who headed just wide. Škëndija had an excellent opportunity to seal the victory in the 58th minute when Ariton Memedi capitalised on a defensive error and went one-on-one with goalkeeper Aliu, but the Kumanovo goalkeeper intervened successfully.
Before the end of the match, Ribeiro threatened once again from a free-kick, while Dashmir Elezi missed a chance for the visitors and Livoreka for Bashkimi after Amir Nuhiu’s run in the 87th minute.
With this second victory of the season, Škëndija from Aračinovo welcome Bregalnica in the 6th round in a buoyant mood, while Bashkimi will have to look for their first points away against Skopje.
