Wanderers claimed a hard-fought point at St.Mary’s Stadium, rounding off an excellent week on the road for Schumacher's men.
Both Southampton and The Whites came into Saturday’s fixture off the back of three points, as Steven Schumacher made three changes from that side that came away from the Molinuex as victors. Tonda Eckert looked to ring in the changes, with his team featuring six different players from their Wednesday night win over Norwich.
It was Southampton’s momentum in the early stages of the first half, as they looked to pile the pressure on Wanderers early. Only four minutes and Southampton produced their first opening, with Scienza firing high over the bar from close range.
The Saints would continue to push, a short corner would find Scienza yet again, this time at the end of the box, his low shot from outside the box this time finding Bazunu low down.
The Whites wouldn’t have long to wait for their chance to come, just the 14th minute. A great team move found Dalby up top, who was able to send through Larrazabal, seemingly one-on-one with the keeper, but he was unable to get the ball out of his feet, as the Southampton goalkeeper managed to clear up.
Possession was mainly Southampton’s yet again. A cross into the box looked to find the outstretched boot of Larin in the box, but would narrowly miss and run out for a goal kick.
Southampton would make the first substitution of the match, with an injured Cyle Larin forced off in just the 36th minute, replaced by Lewis Dobbin.
Southampton would carry on the momentum, with a series of crosses met by a solid Wanderers backline. Capped off by a wonderful performance from Gavin Bazunu yet again, the sides would ensure they would head into the break level at half-time.
HT: Southampton 0-0 Wanderers
Both sides would make substitutes at the half-time mark, Ruben Rodrigues coming on for fellow midfielder Atsuki Ito for The Whites, while The Saints would replace Tom Fellows for Kuryu Matsuki.
Southampton would begin where they left off, a dangerous ball was latched onto by Lewis Dobbin early in the second half, but a great recovery by Eoin Toal would ensure there was no threat against the Wanderers goal.
It was then the turn of the Wanderers to begin to challenge. Xavier Simons all alone on the edge of box, firing goalwards before a deflection off a Saints defender, spurring the away end into action.
The corner wouldn’t result in any major chance, and a quick break by Southampton would find yet another ball to Lewis Dobbin, one-on-one with Bazunu. His shot was dragged wide of the post, ensuring the goal-line remained all the same heading into the final half an hour.
Southampton continued to fire forward, a shot into the box seemed to be stopped by Ruben Rodrigues’ out-stretched hand in the box, but the referee waved away any penalty quickly, much to dismay of the stadium around.
Another Wanderers sub would follow, with Ethan Erhahon and Kylian Dong coming onto replace Xavier Simons and Thierry Gale.
Wanderers would continue to push. A free kick fired in would find the head of Sam Dalby, climbing high, and force a big save from Peretz in goal.
Another substitute would see fresh legs introduced up top, Sam Dalby coming off for Theolonious Bair, looking to push the Southampton defence further. It would go far, as a dangerous ball into the box would find Ruben Rodrigues, his shot blocked out in front as the pressure piled up on the Southampton defence.
A dangerous chance from Southampton would see them seemingly in on goal, a ball across from Finn Azaz, with Bree only needing to place the ball on target. His shot would fire wide of net, as the Saints fans were left to rue another chance.
The Whites would soak up the pressure well in the end, picking up a fantastic point against a team flying high in the scoring charts. Steven Schumacher’s side will come away pleased, a week with two tough Playoff opponents has brought four incredibly hard-earned points.
Wanderers: Bazunu, Stephenson, Toal, Brunt, Famewo, Sheehan, Simons (Erhahon, 61), Larrazabal (killing-Junior, 87), Ito (Rodrigues, 46), Gale (Dong, 61), Dalby (Bair, 73).
Southampton: Peretz, Azaz, Bragg (Edozie, 73), Bree, Fellows (Matsuki, 46), Larin (Dobbin, 41), Schlotterbeck, Scienza, Stephens, Ward-Prouse, Welington (Manning, 73).