F.Y.R. Macedonia round-up: Vardar increase advantage

FK Vardar beat FK Sileks 1-0 on Sunday to extend their hold on the Prva liga leadership after FK Belasica GC drew at FK Rabotnicki.

Oliveira on target
A goal from Brazilian striker Oliveira in the 45th minute ensured maximum points for Vardar, who moved three points clear of Belasica after 30 matches. Belasica's Saša Pandev became the youngest player to score in Macedonian football history when the 16-year-old scored in the third minute against Rabotnički, for whom Zoran Zdravkov levelled in the 65th minute.

Vardar held
Rabotnički also played well last Wednesday, when they drew 1-1 at Vardar. The home side took the lead through Mario Petkov in the 64th minute  before Ljubiša Nikolic levelled ten minutes later. The draw enabled Belasica to close the gap to a point after they beat FK Sloga 4-3 on the same night. 

Pegged back
Nikola Tanušev and Zoran Baldovaliev put Belasica 2-0 ahead inside 12 minutes before Ljubiša Savić struck twice for Sloga. Pance Stojanov restored Belasica's advantage in the 37th minute but again Sloga pegged them back, Bojan Gojak equalising in the 58th minute. However, Baldovaliev ensured Belasica triumphed when he converted a penalty in the 71st minute.

Wait over
Elsewhere, FK Kumanovo, who are stranded at the foot of the Macedonian top flight, recorded their first victory in 18 matches when they defeated another struggling side, FK Pelister, 2-0 on Sunday. FK Pobeda are third after beating Sileks 2-1 on Wednesday and FK Tikves 3-0 yesterday.

Back in control
Meanwhile, the Macedonian Football Federation (FFM) will once again take over the running of league football from the newly formed Union of Prva liga clubs after irregularities were found in the work of the Union's Disciplinary Committee. The FFM will retain control until the end of the season.

Cup final moved
Finally, the Macedonian Cup final - between FK Sloga and FK Cementarnica 55 - has been moved from 27 to 29 May. The president of F.Y.R. Macedonia, Boris Trajkovski, is due to present the cup to the winning team but he could not attend on 27 May because of state obligations.