Southampton moved into the Championship playoff places with a commanding 5-1 victory over Wrexham at the Stōk Cae Ras. The win, their fifth in a row across all competitions, lifted them above their Welsh opponents into sixth position.
Early goals from Kuryu Matsuki and Flynn Downes put Southampton in control, after both Cyle Larin and Finn Azaz had struck the woodwork. Matsuki opened the scoring on 12 minutes, slotting home after a fine pass from Azaz, before Downes doubled the lead 10 minutes later from a cleared free-kick.
Wrexham pulled one back through Josh Windass, who controlled a flick from Kieffer Moore before firing into the bottom corner. However, Southampton restored their two-goal advantage when Larin raced clear and lifted the ball over goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo on 61 minutes.
Late goals from Ross Stewart and Finn Azaz sealed the emphatic win, with Stewart heading in from a free-kick and Azaz adding a fifth two minutes later. Wrexham hit the woodwork three times but could not mount a comeback.
Southampton manager Tonda Eckert praised his team's focus, saying: 'The rhythm is good. Now we need to finish off games quickly, stay humble, and always keep working.' Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson admitted his side were punished for a slow start, adding: 'We were nowhere near it in many aspects of the game.'
