LOOK: Over 30,000 spectators at Wrexham AFC v Southampton
A fast-paced start from both sides created an intense battle from the off – Wrexham however claimed first honours as Kieffer Moore was fouled in the penalty area, with Josh Windass converting to put the Red Dragons ahead in the 22nd minute.
READ NEXT
The hosts intensified the pressure in the second-half, Wrexham holding their own until a stunning Ryan Manning free kick found the back of the net in the 90th minute of the match to level the scoreline.
Then, in the final minute of stoppage time, Jack Stephens snatched a late winner to inflict opening-day heartbreak on the Red Dragons.
Take a look at Wrexham's opening match of the 2025/26 Sky Bet Championship season on the south coast in the full gallery below – captured by Club Photographers Gemma Thomas and Rob Stead.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
an hour ago
- Leader Live
‘Wrexham never give up' – Phil Parkinson celebrates stunning Carabao Cup success
Veteran striker Ollie Palmer put doubt over his future aside by coming off the bench to score twice in stoppage time and snatch a 3-3 draw before the Red Dragons prevailed 5-3 on spot-kicks. It was the Welsh side's first home match of a new season in which they are playing in the second tier for the first time in more than 40 years. Anticipation had been high but, after last weekend's last-gasp defeat at Southampton, it took something extraordinary to avoid another anti-climax. Parkinson said: 'Well, first of all, we show that we never give up. I think the trait of the team and the club over the last three, four years is that. 'I think it's good for the new lads to see that and to say that we're going to go to the end. 'I feel we've got our season off and running. The subs and the penalties were brilliant and I'm so pleased for big Ollie because he's a hero.' You can't beat moments like this 🚀 🔴⚪️ #WxmAFC — Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) August 12, 2025 Palmer, 33, played a key role in Wrexham's rise from the National League but fell down the pecking order in the latter stages of last season. That has led to suggestions he could move on but Parkinson retains huge respect for the former AFC Wimbledon forward. Parkinson said: 'He was fantastic. He's been a cult player for us over the years and he conducted himself amazingly well last year when we made changes. 'He wanted to stay and be a part of it, and he was tonight. You can never write anybody off. He couldn't have done any more.' Wrexham took the lead in the 31st minute through Elliot Lee but it was Hull who looked like going through after hitting back through their eye-catching free signing Oli McBurnie and substitutes Joel Ndala and Matt Crooks. But after Palmer's late show it was Ndala who proved the fall guy, hitting the crossbar with his penalty. Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic said: 'It's mixed feelings. I think that we played very good game and until 80-85 minutes we controlled everything. 'But this is a great experience for us for the future because it's not finished before the referee blows the whistle. 'We must continue because I think that we showed a lot of good things in our game. I'm sorry for the players because they put in everything.'
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
‘Wrexham never give up' – Phil Parkinson celebrates stunning Carabao Cup success
Manager Phil Parkinson felt Wrexham's season was 'off and running' after their dramatic late comeback and penalty shootout victory over Hull in the Carabao Cup. Veteran striker Ollie Palmer put doubt over his future aside by coming off the bench to score twice in stoppage time and snatch a 3-3 draw before the Red Dragons prevailed 5-3 on spot-kicks. It was the Welsh side's first home match of a new season in which they are playing in the second tier for the first time in more than 40 years. Anticipation had been high but, after last weekend's last-gasp defeat at Southampton, it took something extraordinary to avoid another anti-climax. Parkinson said: 'Well, first of all, we show that we never give up. I think the trait of the team and the club over the last three, four years is that. 'I think it's good for the new lads to see that and to say that we're going to go to the end. 'I feel we've got our season off and running. The subs and the penalties were brilliant and I'm so pleased for big Ollie because he's a hero.' You can't beat moments like this 🚀 🔴⚪️ #WxmAFC — Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) August 12, 2025 Palmer, 33, played a key role in Wrexham's rise from the National League but fell down the pecking order in the latter stages of last season. That has led to suggestions he could move on but Parkinson retains huge respect for the former AFC Wimbledon forward. Parkinson said: 'He was fantastic. He's been a cult player for us over the years and he conducted himself amazingly well last year when we made changes. 'He wanted to stay and be a part of it, and he was tonight. You can never write anybody off. He couldn't have done any more.' Wrexham took the lead in the 31st minute through Elliot Lee but it was Hull who looked like going through after hitting back through their eye-catching free signing Oli McBurnie and substitutes Joel Ndala and Matt Crooks. But after Palmer's late show it was Ndala who proved the fall guy, hitting the crossbar with his penalty. Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic said: 'It's mixed feelings. I think that we played very good game and until 80-85 minutes we controlled everything. 'But this is a great experience for us for the future because it's not finished before the referee blows the whistle. 'We must continue because I think that we showed a lot of good things in our game. I'm sorry for the players because they put in everything.'
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
‘Wrexham never give up' – Phil Parkinson celebrates stunning Carabao Cup success
Veteran striker Ollie Palmer put doubt over his future aside by coming off the bench to score twice in stoppage time and snatch a 3-3 draw before the Red Dragons prevailed 5-3 on spot-kicks. It was the Welsh side's first home match of a new season in which they are playing in the second tier for the first time in more than 40 years. Anticipation had been high but, after last weekend's last-gasp defeat at Southampton, it took something extraordinary to avoid another anti-climax. Parkinson said: 'Well, first of all, we show that we never give up. I think the trait of the team and the club over the last three, four years is that. 'I think it's good for the new lads to see that and to say that we're going to go to the end. 'I feel we've got our season off and running. The subs and the penalties were brilliant and I'm so pleased for big Ollie because he's a hero.' You can't beat moments like this 🚀 🔴⚪️ #WxmAFC — Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) August 12, 2025 Palmer, 33, played a key role in Wrexham's rise from the National League but fell down the pecking order in the latter stages of last season. That has led to suggestions he could move on but Parkinson retains huge respect for the former AFC Wimbledon forward. Parkinson said: 'He was fantastic. He's been a cult player for us over the years and he conducted himself amazingly well last year when we made changes. 'He wanted to stay and be a part of it, and he was tonight. You can never write anybody off. He couldn't have done any more.' Wrexham took the lead in the 31st minute through Elliot Lee but it was Hull who looked like going through after hitting back through their eye-catching free signing Oli McBurnie and substitutes Joel Ndala and Matt Crooks. But after Palmer's late show it was Ndala who proved the fall guy, hitting the crossbar with his penalty. Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic said: 'It's mixed feelings. I think that we played very good game and until 80-85 minutes we controlled everything. 'But this is a great experience for us for the future because it's not finished before the referee blows the whistle. 'We must continue because I think that we showed a lot of good things in our game. I'm sorry for the players because they put in everything.'
