Ninety minutes earlier than kick-off a few digivans poking enjoyable at Wrexham accomplished one other lap of St Mary's, whizzing previous with an LED billboard that learn: “Who wants Hollywood?” with the letters of Southampton studded within the Californian hills.
On this proof the Welsh membership – again at this degree for the primary time since 1982 after a unprecedented rise from non-league – are certain to be a enjoyable addition, however how they got a galling reminder of the step up, Saints scoring twice within the last 9 minutes to earn a comeback victory and a primary below Will Nonetheless.
Two years in the past, Southampton have been working 4 divisions increased than their opponents, ending 2022-23 with a 4-4 draw in opposition to Liverpool whereas Wrexham signed off from the Nationwide League with a 2-2 draw at Torquay. It's only 4 years because the journey below Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney started; Wrexham started the 2021-22 season at Solihull Moors in entrance of a crowd of two,196 and Saints a tenth straight season within the prime flight. Right here they have been duking it out on a degree taking part in subject, a pristine floor a world away from Damson Park. Max Cleworth and Ryan Barnett – each on the pitch that day, the latter for Solihull – additionally began right here.
Till the ultimate minute of standard time it appeared Wrexham would begin the season with a victory courtesy of a first-half penalty, awarded after Ronnie Edwards barged Kieffer Moore and transformed by Josh Windass, one in all seven Wrexham debutants, six of whom have been within the beginning lineup. Edwards may rely himself extraordinarily lucky to flee with out even a reserving.
Saints got here near levelling in first-half stoppage time, the 18-year-old Jay Robinson placing a put up earlier than Conor Coady blocked Adam Armstrong's path to objective. Nonetheless, at 32 the youngest supervisor within the English Soccer League, stood fingers on head making an attempt to make sense of all of it.
Wrexham confirmed no indicators of impostor syndrome and settled faster. Windass had clipped the bar earlier than opening the scoring from the spot, however the guests slowly misplaced their grip on the sport. The arrival of Mateus Fernandes on the hour – to an enormous ovation – helped the hosts.
after publication promotion
The Wrexham substitute Ryan Hardie, one other of these new faces, compelled Gavin Bazunu into an instinctive left-hand save on 87 minutes and three minutes later the Southampton substitute Ryan Manning levelled, leathering in an excellent free-kick from 25 yards.
Manning was instrumental within the winner, too. He managed a excessive ball within the field and whereas the US ahead Damion Downs, one other summer time signing, in some way didn't convert from a few yards out, the Southampton captain, Jack Stephens, was alive on the again put up to use the end.
