Gutsy Lions triumph in the Macedonian derby

Metalurg Lions FC
Aug 28, 2017 · 4 min read

ROUND 8 REPORT

RMIT PlayFutsal (Bundoora), Division 1 (Winter Season ‘17)

Metalurg Lions FC 6–5 Barca Boys FC
(HT: Metalurg Lions FC 3–1 Barca Boys FC)

Venue: RMIT University Futsal Stadium, Bundoora
Attendance: 44

Our boys in red have made it six wins in a row after defeating ladder leaders and sister club, Barca Boys FC, 6–5.

As there were no changes to the squad, the Lions were ready to roar for the big occasion. In previous encounters, both sides went into the match with a win each to their name and bragging rights were on the line as the second half of the season commenced this round.

The game started evenly poised with very cagey first few minutes. After a few half chances to both sides, it was the red-hot Nikoloski who opened the scoring when he rifled an unstoppable shot into the top right corner in the expense of a Barca blunder by Pendovski, forced by great pressure by Lions’ Stankovski. It didn’t take long for Barca to equalise when S. Bozinovski tucked in an excellent finish from a Pendovski’s free kick layoff.

Petrovski was soon after called upon to make two great saves in quick succession, while Stojanovski and M. Paunkoski were solid in our defense, intercepting every ball in our back line. Jovanovski, Stankovski and D. Paunkoski brought out great saves by Barca goalkeeper Petrevski, but he could do nothing about D. Paunkoski’s thunderous hit from the right wing, after meeting a delightful M. Paunkoski through ball. A few minutes later, as Jovanovski was released on the left wing, he cut in and made Petrevski pull off a great save, but D. Paunkoski was there to pick up the rebound and increase our lead. After D. Bozinovski hit the post a minute later and Trajceski pulling a shot just wide for Barca, a great play from Lions’ Nikoloski and Stojanovski in the last few seconds of the first half saw Stojanovski pull out another stunning save by Petrevski. The Lions overall finished on top in the first half.

In a blistering start to the second half, the Lions saw themselves increase the lead when an excellent play between Stojanovski and Nikoloski, all started by Stankovski, saw Nikoloski finish from a tight angle. In what looked like the dagger blow for Barca, our sister club didn’t give up just yet. After Petrovski pulled off another two stunning saves after we increased our lead and a courageous M. Paunkoski block, he could do nothing when D. Paunkoski turned the ball back into our net, becoming the first player to score an own goal this season. After cheaply losing possession in midfield, a minute later Pendovski picked up a rebound off the post to bring the game back to a goal. This sparked the Barca star’s confidence and soon after leveled the game with a stunning strike from outside the box.

Our boys in red never gave in though, even though they suffered a catastrophic spell in the game and blowing a three goal lead. The never-say-attitude, team spirit, and belief sparked the Lions. Stojanovski hit the post, and Jovanovski’s brilliant effort went just wide. The play of the match came when the excellent Jovanovski won the ball beautifully in our defense. He played a one-two pass with Nikoloski, then ran on the right wing and put the hard running Nikoloski through on goal, who comfortably finished for his hat-trick and put the Lions back in the lead. The goal sent our faithful into wild celebrations on the sidelines despite protests from Barca on an alleged previous foul which the referee waved off. The back in-form star Nikoloski completed a third hat-trick in as many games.

The turning point of the match occurred four minutes before full time when Pendovski was sent off when he received his second yellow card for dissent. From the resulting free kick, a thundering hit by D. Paunkoski found the top right corner of Petrevski’s goal to put our boys in red two goals up and complete his hat-trick also, sparking rupture of celebrations on the sidelines by our faithful. Barca Boys FC did not stop fighting despite a man down but the Lions’ numerical advantage saw them take control. Barca’s best of the night, S. Bozinovski, somehow found the back of the net from a tight angle with a minute to go, but it only proved to be a consolation. The full-time whistle went and that saw the Lions maintain their hot winning streak while ending Barca’s 100% record and inflict their first loss of the season.

We’d like to thank everyone who attended and cheered our boys in red and for those who tuned into our live stream of the game. Your support does not go unnoticed, and it’s always greatly appreciated.

Hапред Металург!

Round 8 Starting Line-Up:
33. Alexandar PETROVSKI (GK)
5. Goran STOJANOVSKI
7. David JOVANOVSKI
10. Daniel PAUNKOSKI
17. Steven STANKOVSKI

Interchange Substitutes:
8. Miki PAUNKOSKI
9. Aleksandar NIKOLOSKI

Goalscorers:
3 — A. Nikoloski
3 — D. Paunkoski

ThinkMedia MOTM (joint winners, decided by the referee):
9. Aleksandar NIKOLOSKI (Metalurg Lions FC)
10. Daniel PAUNKOSKI (Metalurg Lions FC)

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Metalurg Lions FC

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