Kozuv Gevgelija vs Novaci

The first half ended goalless, with both teams still working their way into pre-season sharpness. The deadlock was broken after the interval when Kozuv Gevgelija found the net, and they held on to secure a 1-0 win in what was the club's first pre-season friendly of the summer.

No detailed timeline or goal-scorer information was published by either club following the match, though FK Kozuf confirmed the result on social media, describing it as a positive start to their preparatory cycle.

The second-half goal shifted the balance of a tight contest. With both teams fielding rotated squads — standard for early pre-season friendlies — the breakthrough gave Kozuv Gevgelija a platform to manage the game through to full-time. Novaci were unable to find an equaliser, suggesting the hosts' defensive organisation, overseen by Duganov's new coaching staff, held firm.

No official player-of-the-match or individual statistics were published. However, the clean sheet — a notable achievement this early in pre-season — points to solid organisation from the hosts' defence. Newly returned centre-back Sase Dukov, who re-joined Kozuv this summer from Detonit Plachkovica, was among those likely to have featured. For Novaci, new defensive signing Martin Dimoski — brought in from Bregalnica on 21 July — may have made his unofficial debut.

The 1-0 scoreline, with a 0-0 half-time, is typical of early pre-season friendlies where fitness and rotation take priority over attacking fluency. Neither side will read much into the single-goal margin, though the fact Kozuv kept a clean sheet in their first competitive minutes under new management is a positive early signal. The absence of published match statistics (possession, shots, xG) is standard for this level of pre-season fixture.

For Kozuv Gevgelija, this was the first of five pre-season friendlies scheduled under new boss Blagoj Duganov, who took over after the club secured second-tier survival via the relegation playoffs last season. Next up is a test against Belasica on 28 July, followed by fixtures against Brera Strumica (1 August) and Detonit Plachkovica (8 August). Kozuv open their league campaign on 15 August against former top-flight side Rabotnichki in Skopje.

Novaci, also preparing for the Second League season, have been active in the transfer market this summer. They have signed five new players — Stefan Spiroski, Andrej Siljanoski, Kiril Stojkov, Petar Guguljanov, and most notably experienced defender Martin Dimoski from Bregalnica, plus 21-year-old forward Nikola Taleski — as they look to build on last season's campaign.

A routine pre-season opener in which the result mattered far less than the minutes logged. Kozuv Gevgelija will take encouragement from the clean sheet and the win under their new coaching staff, while Novaci continue to integrate their raft of summer signings. Neither side will read much into the scoreline, but the fitness work continues ahead of the 15 August league start.