Premier side Pieta Hotspurs managed to overcome an early scare, fighting their way from two goals down to finally win 3-2 against First Division opponents St George's and avoid unwarranted embarrassment.

St George's could not have had a better start, confirming their present good form, taking a two-goal lead by the first quarter hour. When Silvio Sciberras was fouled by Camilleri outside the area on 12 minutes, the St Georges veteran put his side in front with a well executed direct free-kick which left keeper Pieta keeper Vella, deputising for Montfort, rooted to his line.

Hardly two minutes later, the Saints doubled their lead. The Pieta keeper was caught unawares on Vincent Camilleri's curling shot from outside the area, the ball dropping behind his back.

But gradually Pieta clawed themselves into the game, as they found pace and rhythm, with Kondev pulling the strings in midfield.

Midway through the half, Refalo should have done better when put clear inside the area by Kondev, but keeper Mercieca blocked his weak effort into a corner.

But the Saints again wasted a good chance through Grech, shooting Anizoba's cross over the bar, before the Hotspurs reduced the deficit on 37 minutes. Quilin Refalo headed in Vella's cross from the right.

Three minutes later Pieta restored equilibrium when the St Georges' defence, visibly wilting under pressure, failed to cut Aquilina's deep cross from the right and defender Peycho Deliminkov had all the time in the world to head the ball over keeper Mercieca.

St George's, making two early substitutions, started the second half in lively fashion. Anizoba tested the Pieta custodian with a long range shot which Vella tipped over the bar in spectacular fashion.

But Pieta went ahead for the first time in the match ten minutes into the half when Mercieca partially palmed out Aquilina's cross from right and Quilin Refalo shot in the loose ball.

Past the hour, Deanov's arrow-like free kick forced the keeper into a difficult save and then substitute Gatt, alone in front of goal, was foiled by the Saints shot stopper who kept his side into the game.

Pieta hung on to their slender lead, the early niceties long forgotten, as St George's put in their few final efforts until their time was up.

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St George's: J. Mercieca, A. Bonello (B. Borg), C. Grech, K. Xuereb, S. Cassar, H. Schembri, S. Sciberras, P. Anizoba, E. Amaira (C. Caruana), V. Camilleri (J. Zammit), G. Tanti

Pieta H: Mark Vella, P. Aquilina, P. Deliminkov, M. Deanov, Q. Refalo, C. Pulo (D. Gatt), S. Kondev, D. Mifsud (S. Grech), R. Camilleri, Melchior Vella (E. Herrera), R. Galabov

Referee: S.Tanti Asst.refs: P. Agius, C. Micallef 4th official: A. Zammit

Scorers: S. Sciberras, V. Camilleri, Q. Refalo (2), P. Deliminkov

Yellow card: R. Camilleri