Wrexham’s push for a Championship play-off place took a big dent following a 5-1 defeat to Southampton who replaced the Reds in the top-six.
It was a massive game at The Racecourse in the quest to keep alive the dream of securing an unprecedented fourth successive promotion and Phil Parkinson’s side suffered their biggest loss of the season to the in-form Saints who extended their unbeaten record to 16 games in all competitions.
There was no FA Cup hangover from the Saints, who beat Premier League leaders Arsenal at the weekend to reach the semi-finals, and they have moved two points clear of Wrexham with a game in hand.
Wrexham, who have five fixtures remaining, weren’t in the game for the opening half-an-hour and deservedly trailed 2-0, while Southampton could have been further ahead.
Josh Windass put the Reds back in the game with his 13th goal of the season before the interval, making the midfielder joint top scorer with Kieffer Moore.
The next goal was crucial and the Saints went 3-1 up just after the hour mark before scoring two more after Wrexham had hit the post.
Parkinson made two changes from the side which started the 2-2 draw away to West Brom on Good Friday.
Moore, who made his comeback from injury against the Baggies as a second half substitute, and Nathan Broadhead came into the front three with Sam Smith and Zak Vyner dropping to the substitutes bench, meaning Lewis O’Brien switched to midfield.
There was also a place among the substitutes for Matty James who missed the previous 11 games with a broken toe.
Southampton made a lively start and they should have taken the lead in the ninth minute.
Ryan Manning crossed from left and Cyle Larin headed against the crossbar before Finn Azaz somehow struck the woodwork with another header from inside the six yard box when it looked harder to miss.
It was a huge let-off for Wrexham but they weren’t so lucky when the Saints went 1-0 up in the 12th minute.
Azaz fed Kuryu Matsuki who made space in the area before firing past Arthur Okonkwo.
Wrexham had started poorly and Southampton continued to cause problems when they poured forward.
Broadhead finally gave home fans something to shout about when he ran into the area but the winger lost the ball when he was well-placed.
However, Southampton were a constant attacking threat and they doubled their advantage on 22 minutes.
James Bree’s free-kick was only cleared to an unmarked Flynn Downes who scored with a low drive from just inside the box.
Southampton were well on top and dominating the contest but Wrexham almost pulled a goal back with their first chance of the game when Broadhead headed against the post from Max Cleworth’s deflected cross.
But the Reds reduced the deficit after 34 minutes.
Okonkwo’s clearance was flicked on by Moore for Windass who checked inside Jack Stephens before firing past goalkeeper Daniel Peretz who was left wrong-footed.
Southampton had another opportunity when Matsuki carved open the Reds defence and Larin fired over the bar. while Azaz’s low shot was saved by Okonkwo in added time.
Wrexham made a decent start to the second half but they needed Okonkwo to make a smart save from Larin after Issa Kabore failed to clear the danger.
Cleworth’s deflected effort went just wide at the other end but Southampton made it 3-1 in the 61st minute.
O’Brien’s pass to Dominic Hyam was seized upon by Larin who ran at goal before firing past Okonkwo.
Wrexham should have pulled a goal back when Kabore crossed from the byline and Moore headed against the post from close range.
Azaz struck the post for Saints who scored a fourth goal after 81 minutes when Welington’s free-kick from the left was headed home by Stewart.
It was 5-1 two minutes later when Okonkwo did not get enough on his punch and Azaz slotted into the net to complete the scoring.
Wrexham (3-4-3): Okonkwo; Cleworth, Hyam, Doyle, Kabore (Longman 73), Dobson (James 73), O’Brien, Thomason; Windass (Keillor-Dunn 84), Moore (Smith 84), Broadhead (Rathbone 73). Subs not used: Ward, Scarr, Vyner, Cadamarteri.
Southampton (4-2-3-1): Peretz; Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Manning (Welington 66); Downes, Charles; Matsuki (Wood 85), Azaz (Archer 85), Edozie (Scienza 57); Larin (Stewart 66). Subs not used: Jones, Fellows, Jander, Bragg.
Attendance: 10, 547 (1,230 from Southampton).
Be the first to comment