Six goals shared in thriller

Pietà Hotspurs 3
San Ġwann 3

Pietà Hotspurs and San Ġwann returned home with a point apiece after sharing six goals in an entertaining match yesterday.

San Ġwann were tactically disciplined, giving the more-quoted Hotspurs a tough challenge in their opening 2008-09 Division One league match.

Pietà might have gone ahead as early as the first minute. Simon Shead dispossessed San Ġwann goalkeeper Justin Spiteri but shot wide from an acute angle.

Pietà continued to push forward and on six minutes, Shead again hit wide. It was not before the 25th minute that the Saints created their first attempt at goal. Chris Cuschieri's drive was saved by Miguel Montfort.

The game remained evenly-poised until the 42nd minute when Pietà took the lead. Shead headed the ball home from a Terrence Vella cross. San Ġwann staged an immediate reaction and a minute later, they drew level when Lee Cumbo fired home from an angled position.

In first-half stoppage time San Ġwann's Alan Borg produced a curling shot that missed the target by a whisker.

On resumption, Pietà regained the initiative. Spiteri was called to make a good save on Martin Deanov.

Pietà went 2-1 up five minutes into the second half. It was again Shead who tapped home from close range following a good move by Deanov and Carl Pulo.

Once again, Pietà's joy was short-lived as barely a minute later, the Saints drew level. Sergio Hili found Firazz Aboulezz who turned well inside the penalty area and beat Montfort with a low shot.

The game continued to provide great entertainment for the fans and San Ġwann's Cumbo put the icing on the cake when he scored a gem of a goal on 63 minutes. His piledriver sailed into the top corner.

Pietà responded immediately and within a minute of falling behind, San Ġwann's Spiteri floored the Shead in the box. Referee Paul Caruana awarded the Hotspurs a penalty and Deanov sent his shot past the diving Spiteri for a final 3-3 scoreline.

Pietà
M. Montfort, B. Sciberras, M. Deanov, S. Ciscaldi, C. Pulo (S. Micallef), S. Shead, J. Poulangoye, C. Cassar, T. Vella (G. Goodlip), K. Cassar, S. Pace.

San Ġwann
J. Spiteri, M. Caruana, M. Francica, R. Newell (B. Zammit), C. Giordemaina, L. Cumbo, A. Borg, C. Cuschieri, A. Zahra, F. Aboulezz, S. Hili (A. Spiteri).

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Man of the match: Lee Cumbo (San Ġwann).