Wrexham Away Won 1 – 5, Statement of Intent
Saints made six starting changes for the important visit to Wrexham, although three (Stephens, Downes, Charles) improved our side… Matsuki, Edozie and Larin for Fellows, Scienza and Stewart perhaps less so (perhaps!). After only eight minutes, Larin stretched to head against the bar (did well!) and Azaz also hit the bar from the rebound (should have scored!). Larin and Azaz were soon in significant action again, with Azaz supplying the key pass to Matsuki who controlled well and shot early, wrong-footing Okonwo. It really was all Southampton in the opening exchanges, and a second goal on 22 minutes was highly deserved: Downes cleanly struck the loose ball from a free kick through a mass of players and into the corner. Somehow, though, the game wasn’t out of the home side’s reach at the break as Windass found himself clear (suspiciously close to offside) after Harwood-Bellis and Moore tangled, leaving both on the ground – VAR would have had fun with that one. As Broadhead had earlier struck the outside of the post with a header, so it was that in the second half we were continually keeping an eye on the clock, and it had ticked on to 61 minutes when the next decisive moment arrived, possibly the most decisive in the match: sloppy play by Wrexham led to Larin breaking away, and he can be persuaded to show a modicum of pace if needed, as well as, this time, planting a powerful cross-shot past Okonwo. The home side hit the post again after Peretz made a mess of coming for a cross, and the woodwork was taking quite a battering as Azaz was to fire against the frame at the other end. We now had Stewart leading the attack (it had looked as though Larin was about to be substituted when he scored), plus Scienza and Welington also on. Scienza was fouled for a free kick taken by Welington and headed goalwards by Stewart, and indeed into the net as Okonwo, who always looked to have a couple of Bazunu moments in him, sprawled at the ball ineffectually. Okonwo’s worst was yet to come as he flapped at Scienza’s cross, sending it into the path of Matsuki whose attempt to control only set up Azaz for an easy finish. Quite a four days!
Three LSSC Man of the Match candidates to choose from:
9. Cyle Larin. Only watching the replay did I realise how much he was involved before that goal.
10. Finn Azaz, more than excused for his early miss.
24. Shea Charles. No need for a dramatic late goal this time, but he had no trouble with the Wrexham midfield.
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