For Southampton, it was an exciting pre-season encounter at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday, as the Saints secured a commendable 4-2 victory against Reading, marking their first win under the guidance of new manager, Russell Martin.
The match saw the emergence of Super Eagles midfielder, Joe Aribo, who made an impact coming off the bench. Aribo, 27, combined brilliantly with compatriot Samuel Edozie to score Southampton’s fourth goal, sealing the win with just over ten minutes left on the clock.
Before Aribo’s pivotal contribution, Southampton had already taken the lead with three goals to their name. Jan Bednark, James Ward-Prowse, and Adam Armstrong were the scorers for the Saints, while Harvey Knibbs netted the sole goal for the League One side in the 80th minute.
Another Nigerian talent Olamide Shodipo showcased his potential for Reading during the match. On trial with the Royals, Shodipo managed to squeeze a goal past the Southampton goalkeeper, Gavin Bazunu, just before the final whistle, bringing the score to 4-2.
Southampton’s lineup reflected their determination to secure the victory, with key players such as James Ward-Prowse, Kyle Walker-Peters, Tino Livramento, and Nathan Tella starting the game.
Next up for Southampton is a showdown against Premier League side AFC Bournemouth at St Mary’s on Tuesday evening, which will serve as their penultimate pre-season friendly.
The Saints’ impressive performance and cohesive teamwork in this match bode well for their upcoming season in the SkyBet Championship.