The English Football League opened its season over the weekend, with Josh Sargent and Damion Downs standing out for the American contingent in action.
Southampton 2-1 Wrexham
Some late-game magic helped Southampton to a come-from-behind win over Wrexham on Saturday at St. Mary’s Stadium as they started their push for a return to the Premier League.
Damion Downs came off the bench to play 30 minutes for the Saints, making six touches and taking one shot.
Wrexham was awarded a penalty when Ronnie Edwards took down Kieffer Moore. This allowed Josh Windass to step up and convert the spot kick in the 22nd minute.
The host was behind in the first half, but they slowly took over the game in the second half as they hunted for goals. They were rewarded in the 90th minute when Ryan Manning’s free-kick went over Wrexham’s wall and beat the goalkeeper at his left-side post.
Southampton netted the game-winner six minutes in stoppage time when Manning sent a low cross in the path of Downs. The forward’s attempt went wide right of the goal, but his teammate, Jack Stephens, followed through to guide the ball home.
Norwich 1-2 Millwall
It was a slow start for Norwich as they allowed a goal seven minutes from time to give Millwall all three points at Carrow Road.
Josh Sargent, who wore the captain’s armband for the Canaries, went the distance as he completed 92 percent of his passes and won three duels.
The visitors broke the scoreless deadlock in the 51st minute through Camiel Neghli. Tristan Crama’s cross from the right side found the Algerian international in the box, and it gave him just enough time to fire his shot into the back of the net.
Norwich leveled the score four minutes later thanks to Sargent. Millwall goalkeeper Steven Benda’s attempt to clear the ball from the 18-yard box was blocked by the American striker, and it took a fortuitous bounce off the post into the goal.
The Lions would not settle for a point as they grabbed the winner in the 83rd minute. Alfie Doughty’s through ball found Macaulay Langstaff as he slotted his shot past Norwich goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic.
Notes
Elsewhere in the Championship, Charlie Kelman made his first start for Charlton Athletic as he played 71 minutes in their 1-0 loss to Watford.
Aidan Morris started for Middlesbrough as they came away with a 1-0 win over Swansea.
Haji Wright came off the bench to play 20-plus minutes for Coventry City in their 0-0 tie with Hull City.
West Bromwich Albion started their season with a 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers, with George Campbell coming off the bench to play the final minutes of the game.
In League One, Nicholas Akoto was a late-game substitute for Burton Albion in their 3-2 defeat to Barnsley.
Lynden Gooch came on to play 30 minutes for Huddersfield Town to secure a 2-0 win over Reading.
Dominic Dwyer started and played 67 minutes for Mansfield Town as they surrendered a stoppage-time goal in their 2-1 loss to Doncaster Rovers.
Down in League Two, Kyle Scott started for Crawley Town in a 2-1 loss to Newport.
