Shkëndija secured victory and three new points in Kavadarci more easily than expected, defeating Tikvesh 4-1.
The visiting team took the lead as early as the 15th minute through Anes Meliqi. A quieter period followed, after which Shkëndija stepped up their game before half-time. First, Besart Ibraimi made an excellent run through the defence, drew goalkeeper Stefan Tasev towards him and, from a difficult position, stylishly slipped the ball behind him. This goal came in the 36th minute (0-2), and before the break the home net shook for a third time. This time the scorer was Liridon Latifi, who reacted well in the penalty area and beat Tasev to make it 0-3 at half-time.
The second half began in an efficient manner, as the nets were shaken twice more in the first nine minutes. First, Tikvesh managed to reduce the deficit to 1-3 in the 49th minute, after Kristian Stojkoski took a corner and substitute Blagoj Stojchev, left unmarked at the far post, scored his third goal of the season.
However, the hopes of the Kavadarci side were quickly cut short, as Fabrice Tamba scored the final 1-4 in the 54th minute. From the left attacking side, Latifi delivered a cross, the ball struck Varelovski and took an awkward deflection towards goal, with Tamba simply tapping it into the net.
With this victory, Shkëndija have 67 points, two more than Vardar, who will be the nominal away team against Shkupi tomorrow. In the next round, Shkëndija face Bashkimi at home, while Tikvesh visit Vardar.
