Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson insisted Southampton defender Ronnie Edwards ought to have seen purple for denying a goal-scoring alternative and known as it a “game-changing” second in the Welsh club’s 2-1 defeat at St Mary’s on their return to English soccer’s second tier after a 43-year absence.
Josh Windass put Wrexham forward from the penalty spot of their Championship opener after Kieffer Moore was blatantly pushed over when by way of on aim within the twenty second minute.
However Edwards was solely booked and Southampton took benefit of maintaining 11 gamers on the sphere as substitute Ryan Manning swept dwelling a superb 25-yard free-kick within the ninetieth minute.
Southampton captain Jack Stephens added to Wrexham’s agony within the sixth minute of stoppage time by firing dwelling off the crossbar.
“He was clear by way of and he will get pushed down for the penalty,” Parkinson stated after Wrexham’s first recreation within the second tier of English soccer for 43 years.
“I’ve spoken to the ref and stated, ‘Look, my interpretation of that rule is that if it is an intentional push it is a straight purple’.
“I noticed it from the touchline and the footage once more at half-time. I am unable to see how he is not acquired that proper as a result of it is a game-changing second as they’re all the way down to 10 males.
“I do know the ref feels there is a overlaying defender. However if you happen to’re about to strike the ball on aim the place he was on the pitch, and the participant deliberately pushes you to the bottom, the ref’s acquired to make that decision proper.”
– Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson ready for return to ‘great league’
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After successful three successive promotions to maneuver from the Nationwide League to the Championship in record-breaking time, the Welsh membership owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have invested closely this summer season.
Six of their eight summer season signings began and Wrexham had possibilities by way of Lewis O’Brien and Ryan Hardie to increase their lead, whereas Windass struck the woodwork from 25 yards earlier than opening the scoring.
Parkinson famous that Southampton, who gained simply two video games within the Premier League final season, have “a multimillion-pound bench to throw on” as substitutes.
“I believe once we replicate, it is a very proud day for the membership enjoying at this degree and there was loads of positives for us.
“The brand new lads got here in and have carried out rather well however the current gamers as properly, I assumed they had been actually good.
“That provides us nice coronary heart for the season forward.”
Wales striker Moore, signed from Sheffield United at the start of the week, will probably be assessed after being pressured off after 54 minutes, with Parkinson figuring out the damage as “ankle ligaments”.
For Southampton boss Will Nonetheless — the youngest supervisor within the Championship at 32 — it was a successful begin in English soccer after working in Belgium and France.
Nonetheless stated: “It was loopy. We created some actually large alternatives within the first half and within the second half we took management.
“We stated everybody’s vital and acquired to play a task. The subs have carried out that and proven how robust our squad is.
“Good to point out a little bit of grit and willpower. To deliver the vitality and place alive which in all probability helped us bundle the ball over the road is sweet.”
Data from PA and The Related Press was used on this report.