A hat-trick by substitute Glaucio de Araujo enabled Santa Lucia to turn defeat into victory as they defeated Senglea Athletic 4-1 at the Centenary Stadium on Monday.
Santa Lucia moved seventh on eighteen points while Senglea remained anchored at the bottom of the table with just two points.
Against the run of play, Senglea took the lead on the 32nd minute thanks to a David Xuereb corner from the left which surprised the Santa Lucia rear-guard, beating goalkeeper Christopher Farrugia.
Santa Lucia equalised six minutes in the second half when off a cross by Victor Luiz Filho, Glaucio de Araujo headed home past goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia.
Eight minutes later, Santa Lucia doubled the score, once again, thanks to a Glaucio de Araujo header from close range off a cross from the right by Jamie Zerafa.
On the 74th minute, Glaucio de Araujo received an assist by Alan da Silva Souza from the left and slotted past the Senglea Athletic custodian.
One minute in added time, Leandro Motta delivered a cross from the left and Alan da Silva Souza rounded a defender before hitting lost past the Senglea goalkeeper.
SANTA LUCIA: Christopher Farrugia, Timothy Tabone Desira, Andre Prates Rodrigues, Kevin Correia, Adam Magri Overend (Glaucio de Araujo 46’), Leandro Motta (Andreas Vella 91’), Alan da Silva Souza (Liam Mckay 91’), Kevin Ante Rosero, Victor Luiz Filho, Jamie Zerafa (Jacques Vella Critien 87’), Kieran Xuereb.
Coach: Oliver SpiteriSENGLEA Matthew Farrugia, Zachary Cassar, Alan Abela Igor Misan (Firas Aboulezz 74’), Luis Carlos Riascos, Daneel Abela (Kevaughn Atkinson 77’), Andre Scicluna (Nikola Terzin 59’), Dibola Diwoto Junior, Dejan Kukic, David Xuereb, Wilkerson Gomes.
Coach: Clive MizziReferee: Alex Johnson
Assistant Referees: Christopher Francalanza, Duncan Spencer
Fourth Official: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Yellow Cards: L. Riascos, A. Scicluna
BOV Player of the Match: Glaucio de Araujo