A brace by Kyrian Nwoko handed ten-man Santa Lucia a 2-1 win over Pieta’ Hotspurs in the basement clash from the BOV Premier League at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Saturday.
Santa Lucia returned to winning ways after suffering four defeats in the last four outings and although they are still second from bottom, they move to just three points behind Zebbug Rangers, who, however, have a game against Sirens in hand.
Pieta’ Hotspurs, on the other hand, are now destined to playing in the Challenge League next season as they lie six points behind Santa Lucia with five matches to go.
Santa Lucia took the lead five minutes from the end of the first half when Lorenzo Soares served Kyrian Nwoko on the right and the latter slotted the ball past goalkeeper Simone Moschin.
The Hotspurs equalised thirteen minutes in the second half when they were awarded a penalty after Takuma Yamaguchi was brought down inside the area by Rodolfo Soares. The latter received a second yellow card and was therefore sent off with the referee ordering a penalty. Yamaguchi’s first effort was blocked by Calleja Cremona aided by the upright but off the rebound, the Japanese forward placed the ball at the back of the net.
However Santa Lucia regained the lead on the 76th minute when Kyrian Nwoko managed to lob the ball over the Pieta’ goalkeeper.