Late Strike Lifts Ohrid Past Novaci, Reshaping the Second League Table in Steel City Showdown

STIP, Macedonia — A subtle chill swept through Stadion Metallurg on Saturday afternoon, but it was the sting of late disappointment that lingered for Novaci after Ohrid’s narrow 1-0 victory rewrote the script of the early Second League campaign and cast new light on both clubs’ ambitions.

The encounter delivered on its billing as a tightly-contested test between two sides eager to sharpen their credentials in the promotion chase. For seventy minutes, the contest was a study in patience and frustration — a midfield standoff punctuated by nervy clearances and a handful of speculative efforts. But when opportunity finally knocked, Ohrid answered with clinical resolve.

The match’s decisive moment arrived in the 78th minute, when Ohrid’s attacking midfielder, Marko Petrovski, pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the box. Novaci’s back line, so resolute in recent weeks, hesitated just long enough for Petrovski to lash a venomous, low strike beyond the despairing reach of goalkeeper Stefan Georgievski. Petrovski’s celebration, arms aloft beneath the gray autumn sky, was mirrored by the cluster of traveling supporters who sensed the significance of the breakthrough.

For Novaci, whose campaign had been building momentum after a commanding 3-0 win at FK Prespa Resen just a week prior, the late concession was a bitter twist. The hosts had entered the afternoon in eighth place with six points from four matches, their recent form suggesting a side coming to grips with the tempo and tenacity required at this level. Invigorated by back-to-back victories and a home crowd buoyed by rising expectation, they pressed high in the opening half, threatening on the counter but failing to translate possession into clear chances.

Ohrid, meanwhile, arrived a single point and three places better off in fifth, determined to turn recent draws into vital wins. Their last league outing — a goalless stalemate at home against Bregalnica Štip — had frustrated more than satisfied. But the visitors’ discipline was evident from the outset, as they absorbed the early Novaci pressure with calm defensive organization. Their midfield, anchored by veteran Ilija Nikolov, disrupted Novaci’s attempts to dictate the tempo, turning the match into a contest of inches rather than yards.

Key moments before the breakthrough were scarce yet charged with tension. In the 42nd minute, Novaci’s Petar Ivanoski nearly gave the hosts the lead, sending a curling effort just wide after a neat exchange with captain Blagoja Trajkovski. Early in the second half, Ohrid’s Mladen Petkov broke free on the right, his low cross narrowly eluding striker Dimitar Stojanovski, the ball skidding across the goalmouth and inches past the post.

Neither side resorted to rash challenges, and the contest — physical but rarely ill-tempered — saw the referee reach for his pocket only once, booking Novaci’s Aleksandar Poposki for dissent after the Petrovski goal. Red cards were notably absent, but the stakes and urgency grew clearer with every passing minute as a draw seemed inevitable.

Yet it was Ohrid’s patience and opportunism that prevailed. Petrovski’s goal not only secured three points but also lifted Ohrid to 10 points — temporarily propelling them into the pack’s upper reaches and maintaining pace with the season’s early leaders. For Novaci, the defeat brings them to six points after five outings, now with a record of two wins and three losses, their defensive resolve pierced at a critical juncture.

The result reverberates in the standings. Ohrid, now on a four-match unbeaten streak in league and cup competition, is emerging as one of the division’s most consistent travelers, having claimed impressive wins away at Vardar Negotino and Pobeda earlier in the campaign. Novaci, by contrast, faces questions about their ability to close out tight contests. Despite a spate of home victories, today’s loss underscores the margins separating hope from heartache in the Second League.

The head-to-head history between these two sides seldom favors sweeping narratives; most recent encounters ended in hard-fought draws or narrow wins, with goals at a premium and few spells of open play. Saturday’s match fit the mold — cagey, hard-fought, and ultimately decided by a flash of individual quality.

Looking ahead, Ohrid’s upward trajectory continues — a foundation built on defensive discipline and moments of attacking inspiration. With a congested fixture list looming and confidence swelling, manager Blagoja Jovanovski will expect his men to capitalize on this momentum as the race for promotion intensifies.

For Novaci, the path forward demands both reflection and resilience. Their attacking verve, so recently evident, must return if they are to reclaim lost ground in a league where table positions are as volatile as October skies. As the campaign enters its critical stretch, both clubs now know precisely what it takes to tip a balanced contest — and how costly a single lapse can prove.