After two draws with Gzira United and Gudja United, Santa Lucia returned to winning ways as they defeated Tarxien Rainbows 2-1 in the derby at the National Stadium on Sunday.

A win which puts Santa Lucia temporarily on top the BOV Premier League table on the eight-point mark together with Hamrun Spartans.

For Tarxien, this was the fourth consecutive defeat which leaves them anchored at the bottom of the table without any points.

Santa Lucia managed to take the lead on 13 minutes when off a cross from the right, Rei Tachikawa’s powerful header gave goalkeeper Rudy Briffa no chance.

Tarxien equalised ten minutes later thanks to a Thomas Veronese freekick which bounced in front of the goalkeeper before ending at the back of the net.

However, Santa Lucia regained the lead on 65 minutes thanks to a powerful shot from inside the area by Jackson David Usuga Mendoza, served on the right by Jacob Walker.

SANTA LUCIA Ryan Caruana, Gabriel Bohrer Mentz, Jackson David Usuga Mendoza, Kevin Ante Rosero, Jacob Walker, Daniel Agius, Farid Zuniga, Jamie Zerafa, Camilo Escobar (63′ Omar Elouni), Rei Tachikawa (84′ Jamie Magri Overend), Wilkerson Gomes (79′ Lee Galea).
Subs not used: Dorian Bugeja, Adam Magri Overend, Neil Micallef, Neil Spiteri.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri
Asst. Coach: Brian Chetcuti

TARXIEN Rudy Briffa, Marco Botta (76′ Matthew Spiteri), Thomas Veronese, Daniel Zerafa, Emile Darney, Gary Camilleri, Stiv Shaba (76′ Brandon Muscat), Marko Stanojevic (86′ Miguel Ciantar), Brooke Farrugia, Misael Miranda Gomez, Jairo Andres Tenorio Viveros.
Subs not used: Antonio Chetcuti, Daniel Vassallo, Cedric Zahra, Dale Tabone.
Coach: Marko Glumac
Asst. Coach: Demis Paul Scerri

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Jurgen Spiteri
Fourth Official: Andrea Sciriha
Yellow Cards: Botta, Zerafa
BOV Player of the Match: Rei Tachikawa