Welcome to the Championship, Wrexham.
Southampton couldn’t resist a cheeky swipe at the Welsh club, as well as co-owner Ryan Reynolds, after a heartbreaking end to their first second tier game in 43 years.
All eyes were on Wrexham on Saturday as they travelled to St Mary’s for their Championship opener following their Hollywood rise from non-league.
They got the perfect start, too, with summer signing Josh Windass scoring from the penalty spot to give the Dragons the lead after 22 minutes.
Although the hosts bossed the game, dominating possession [76 per cent | 24 per cent], shots [27 | 10] and shots on target [10 | 2], Wrexham certainly looked like a team that belongs in the second tier of the English football pyramid.
A big summer transfer window, backed by famous owners Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and their New York-based investors, has seen Wrexham add eight new players and proven Championship quality to their squad.
A number of their big-name signings made it clear why they were wanted, too, with club-record arrival Lewis O’Brien, defender Conor Coady, striker Kieffer Moore, midfielder Josh Windass and goalkeeper Danny Ward all impressing.
The defence put everything on the line throughout the game to stop Southampton scoring, with a series of saves and last-ditch blocks denying the hosts, while Wrexham went close to scoring more with chances from O’Brien and Ryan Hardie, while Windass also hit the bar.
But in the end Southampton’s quality turned the tide in stoppage-time, with a stunning Ryan Manning free-kick dead on 90 minutes and a close-range winner from Jack Stephens in the sixth minute of time added on seeing Saints snatch all three points.
They also rubbed salt into the wounds of heartbroken Welsh fans on social media, with a cheeky reply to a Wrexham-based account.
How did Southampton troll Wrexham?
Last month Wrexham Police FC posted a video parodying Southampton’s ‘Mystic Saints Ball’, which they used to tease their new 70s-inspired home kit earlier this summer.
The edited video saw a ball predict a Wrexham victory over Southampton on the opening day of the season.
In reply, the south coast side posted another video of the ‘Mystic Saints Ball’ which reads out the 70s toy’s iconic phrase: “Don’t count on it.”
They stuck the knife into Wrexham further by having the ball shaken by Deadpool – the Marvel character played by Wrexham co-owner Reynolds – with the superhero’s mask even seen in the ball’s reflection.
Despite the gut-punch of a defeat on opening day, though, Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said it was a largely positive start to what will be a huge test for the team after three successive promotions from the National League.
“I think when we reflect, it’s a very proud day for the club playing at this level and there was a lot of positives for us,” he said.
“The new lads came in and have done really well but the existing players as well, I thought they were really good.
“That gives us great heart for the season ahead.”
However, the boss was annoyed Southampton still had all 11 men on the pitch to stage their late comeback, feeling defender Ronnie Edwards should have been sent off for his blatant push on Moore in the box which led to Wrexham’s opener from the penalty spot.
“He was clean through and he gets pushed down for the penalty,” Parkinson said.
“I’ve spoken to the ref and said, ‘Look, my interpretation of that rule is if it’s an intentional push it’s a straight red’.
“I saw it from the touchline and the footage again at half-time. I can’t see how he’s not got that right because it’s a game-changing moment as they’re down to 10 men.
“I know the ref feels there’s a covering defender. But if you’re about to strike the ball on goal where he was on the pitch, and the player intentionally pushes you to the ground, the ref’s got to make that call right.”
There was more bad news for Wrexham, too, with Parkinson suggesting Moore, who only signed from Sheffield United earlier this week, could be set for a spell on the sidelines after just one game.
The striker was forced off on 54 minutes after jarring his ankle while striking the ball, with the manager identifying the injury as ‘ankle ligaments’.