Israel round-up: Leaders keep going

Maccabi Tel-Aviv kept up the pace in the Israeli Premier League with a 2-0 win over FC Ashdod on Saturday.

Goldberg engineers win
Chilean forward Rodrigo Goldberg opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a diving header from Tal Banin’s corner. Goldberg then made the second, feeding the ball to Avi Nimni who fired home to double the advantage just before the interval.

Rakovic treble
Armin Rakovic’s hat-trick gave Hapoel Petach-Tikva a 3-1 win at Maccabi Kiriat-Gat. Rakovic scored in the 14th, 33rd and 57th minute to put the visitors in a commanding position. Kiriat-Gat did manage a consolation in the last minute through Nir Shikva.

Double for Ayegbini
Maccabi Haifa's Yaacubu Ayegbini scored twice as they forged out a 2-1 home win over Maccabi Netanya.  Ayegbini scored after just three minutes, capitalising on Alon Harazi's centre. Itzik Zohar levelled with a penalty ten minutes after half-time, after Roslan Lobarsky was brought down by Arik Benado in the area. But Ayegbini got the winner, also from the spot, 19 minutes from time following a handball by Ravid Gazal.

Cohen own goal
Hapoel Beer-Sheva had a comfortable 3-1 win over hosts Maccabi Petach-Tikva. Kobbi Refoa gave Maccabi the lead after six minutes with a penalty after he was brought down by defender Oz Ifrach. Beer-Sheva were handed an equaliser by goalkeeper Rafi Cohen's own goal four minutes before half-time.

Korman makes sure
Cohen carried the ball over the line after trying to fend away Shuki Nagar's cross. Rami Abu Laden put the visitors in front on the stroke of the interval with his seventh goal of the season, and Davi Korman made sure with seven minutes to spare, seeing his shot spin off Morad Megamadov and into the back of the net.