Crvena zvezda beat Čukarički 2-1 in the final Superliga match of the year to maintain a considerable lead in the title race and delight the fans once again in what's been a very successful year for the club.
Ground: Čukarički Stadium
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Lazar Lukić
Goalscorers: Stojanović 27' - Ben 24' (pen), Boakye 30'
Čukarički: N Stevanović, Kopitović, Puškarić, Šapić, M Stevanović, Docić, Đorđević (Vidosavljević 83'), Stojanović (Tedić 78'), Bogosavac, Owusu, Mudrinski.
Crvena zvezda: Borjan, Stojković, Savić, Degenek, Gobeljić, Jovičić, Krstičić (Jovančić 46'), Ben, Ebecilio (Čaušić 83'), Simić (Jevtović 90+2'), Boakye.
This match should have been played on Saturday, but got postponed for Sunday and had another 30 minute delay as the Čukarički staff, aided by Crvena zvezda fans, groundsmen and fans, worked hard to prepare the pitch.
The game looked uncertain all day, but thankfully it kicked off at 19.30 on Sunday evening. The long wait was awarded by a welcome sight of captain Vujadin Savić in a Zvezda shirt, with Branko Jovičić and Richmond Boakye also starting.
Crvena zvezda dominated most of the first half, as Lorenzo Ebecilio came close with an early long-range effort and Veljko Simić and Ben being denied by Stevanović in quick succession.
Richmond Boakye has had a header just off target as all-red-clad Zvezda looked to make the possession count.
A foul from Darko Puškarić on Richmond Boakye in the area gave Vladan Milojević's team an opportunity to take the lead from the spot. Ben stepped up and duly dispatched the penalty to make it 1-0.
But Čukarički wouldn't surrender and they produced a move that caught our defence off guard and gave an easy chance for Luka Stojanović to sidefoot home with Milan Borjan stranded.
Richmond Boakye marked his return to the starting eleven with a goal just three minutes after the hosts' leveller as he finished cooly from the middle of the box, making the most out of Nenad Krstičić's fine pass.
Krstičić has picked up a knock and had to come off at the break as Dušan Jovančić took his place in the engine room.
El Fardou Ben Nabouhane has had another golden opportunity from the spot shortly after the break as Lorenzo Ebecilio was brought down in the area, but the Comorian's spot kick was saved this time by Nemanja Stevanović. Čukarički's Kopitović was sent off in the process after getting his second booking of the night.
The remainder of the game has seen fewer chances as the teams struggled in the cold. Both teams should be congratulated for their efforts in extremely difficult conditions.
Crvena zvezda never looked like surrendering the lead against the ten-men Čukarički and the final whistle brought great celebrations for the away fans and the players alike.
It was an extraordinary 2018 and the players will now go to get some deserved rest during the winter break before reporting back to training in January.