Southampton hosted Wrexham at St Mary's in an eagerly anticipated season opener in the lunchtime kick-off today. It was a match that kept us all on the edge of our seats throughout.
The Saints kicked-off the season today determined to bounce straight back after a nightmare Premier League campaign.
In contrast, Wrexham arrived on a high after winning promotion for the third season in a row. The Welsh club's meteoric rise has been well documented in the Disney documentary, Welcome to Wrexham. They are expected to be competitive in the Championship this season with Troy Deeney even predicting that they would win this one.
Will Still took charge of his first competitive match after a positive pre-season which ended in a 2-2 comeback draw against Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend.
Bazunu turns in a match winning performance
With the departure of Aaron Ramsdale to Newcastle on loan, Gavin Bazunu started in goal. Bazunu has certainly earned his place following an excellent pre-season. And, despite the criticism that has come his way in the past, he turned in a match winning performance today.
Late in the game with Southampton chasing an equaliser, after going behind in the first half, Wrexham broke upfield and a mispaced pass from Southampton's Shea Charles put Ryan Hardie through on goal. Hardie's strike was clean and the ball looked destined to be nestling in the bottom right hand corner.
But, Bazunu had other ideas and flung himself down and to his left. As the ball looked like it was sneaking past him, Bazunu stretched every sinew and got the faintest of touches to steer the ball wide of the post and to safety. It was a moment that would change the outcome of the match.
Saints concede against the run of play: Southampton 0-1 Wrexham
Despite stamping their authority on the game early on, Wrexham took the lead on 22 mins. New signing, Kieffer Moore, found himself goalside of Ronnie Edwards. The England under-21 international put his hands on Moore's back and the 33-year-old Welshman did not need a second invitation to go down.
Josh Windass dispatched the penalty, despite Bazunu guessing the right way, to give Wrexham a lead they barely deserved.
Half Time: Southampton 0-1 Wrexham
But Wrexham had their moments before and after they scored. First, Josh Windass curled a right-footed effort against the bar. Then, after they had gone a goal up, Max Cleworth headed narrowly over from a well delivered free-kick.
What followed was a Southampton onslaught. Jay Robinson, hit the right hand post with a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area. Adam Armstrong failed to convert the rebound when it seemed easier to score.
After half-time, Wrexham sat deeper into a low block. It was no surprise therefore when Still brought on Mateus Fernandes for Yukinari Sugawara and new signing, Damion Downs, for Adam Armstrong.
Fernandes looked bright and influenced the game immediately with his energy. On 67 minutes, he had a low shot saved by Wrexham keeper Danny Ward.
With Southampton pushing, Bazunu made his wonder save, keeping the Saints in it and setting up a grandstand finish.
Manning curls in a beauty: Southampton 1-1 Wrexham
Just as time was runing out for Southampton, they won a free-kick about 25-yards out and central. Having come on as substitute a few minutes earlier, up stepped Ryan Manning to curl a left-footed shot over the wall and into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
Mannng's celebrations were little short of primal. There was more drama to come.
Stephens crashes the winner in off the bar: Southampton 2-1 Wrexham
Manning was heavily involved in the 96th minute winner. Charles' long and speculative driven pass from deep in his own half found Manning who dribbled the ball across goal. Damion Downs could not get to it and the ball rolled through to captain Jack Stephens at the far post to crash the ball home in off the crossbar.
Stephens ran to the corner to celebrate, letting the fans know what he though of the criticism that he had been receiving. He held his hand cupped to his hear and then leapt high in celebration as 80% of the crowd went wild.