Wrexham gets a rude welcome to the Championship as Southampton twice strikes late for 2-1 win

SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) — Wrexham was denied a Hollywood-style ending on its return to English soccer’s second tier on Saturday when relegated Premier League team Southampton struck twice in the final minutes to grab a 2-1 win.

Josh Windass’ penalty kick in the 22nd minute looked enough for Wrexham’s first win in the Welsh team’s first game back in the division in 43 years.

But Ireland defender Ryan Manning equalized in the 90th with a brilliant free kick over the wall inside the right post and then sent Jack Stephens sliding in at the far post to poke the winning goal into the roof of the net in the 96th at St. Mary's Stadium.

Wrexham missed numerous changes to build on its lead. Ryan Hardie might have sealed the win in the 87th but goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu tipped the Scottish forward's left-footed shot just wide.

“It hurts because the lads have given us a lot today,” Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson told Sky Sports. “We had a chance to kill the game off. To be fair to Ryan, the keeper has made a brilliant save.”

Southampton went closest before the break when Jay Robinson struck the post. Conor Coady cleared Adam Armstrong’s effort from the rebound off the line. Wrexham signed Coady from Leicester — he arrived with 198 games of Premier League experience.

Wrexham has enjoyed a spectacular rise under celebrity co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Just three years ago, Wrexham was playing non-league soccer in England’s fifth tier.

After three straight promotions, Wrexham is in the Championship. It's one tier below the Premier League and renowned as one of the toughest divisions in soccer.

Saturday’s finale showed Wrexham just how tough it can be.

Parkinson noted that Southampton, which won just two games in the Premier League last season, has “a multimillion-pound bench to throw on” as substitutes.

“I was very proud today, stood out there watching the team run out in front of our supporters,” he added. “It was one of those moments where you kind of reflect back a little bit because of where we’ve come from, and for me to be stood here and be really disappointed we haven’t got something out of the game says a lot for the squad.”

Some Welsh clubs — including Wrexham, Swansea and Cardiff — have long played in England’s league system for historical reasons as there was no national Welsh league when they moved. The first league representing all of Wales was only founded in 1992.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Wrexham's Matthew James and Southampton's Jay Robinson, right, vie for the ball during the English Football League Championship match at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, England, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)

Southampton's Adam Armstrong, left, attempts a shot towards goal but is blocked by Wrexham's Conor Coady during their English Football League Championship match at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, England, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)

Wrexham's Josh Windass scores his side's first goal of the game from the penalty spot past Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu during their English Football League Championship soccer match, at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, England, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)

Wrexham's Ollie Palmer, right, attempts a shot on goal during their English Football League Championship soccer match against Southampton, at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, England, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)

Wrexham's Kieffer Moore lays injured during their English Football League Championship soccer match against Southampton, at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, England, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)

KOHALA, Hawai‘i--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 15, 2026--

Kuleana Rum Works, the Hawai‘i-based distillery known for its additive-free, award-winning rums, today announced the release of “An Open Letter on Additive-Free Rum,” written by Founder & CEO Steve Jefferson, addressing why rum is now facing the same scrutiny and market shift that reshaped tequila a decade ago.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260107792953/en/

Consumers across spirits are demanding more honesty about how products are made. Additive-free labeling has already transformed tequila and is reshaping whiskey and RTDs. Drinkers now expect producers to protect natural flavor instead of masking it, and bartenders increasingly use transparency as a measure of quality. The letter positions rum as the next category entering this accountability cycle, as more consumers begin to question undisclosed sweeteners, flavorings and added color.

Tequila provides the clearest precedent. Producers who embraced additive-free methods helped premiumize the category, while brands relying on undisclosed additives now face growing skepticism. According to the letter, rum is approaching the same turning point. Jefferson explains that Kuleana Rum Works was founded on additive-free principles: growing heirloom Hawaiian kō (sugarcane), fermenting and distilling fresh juice at lower proof to preserve natural character, adding nothing after distillation and holding all blending partners to the same standards. Every rum — whether distilled in Hawai‘i or sourced — is verified additive-free through independent lab testing and supplier documentation.

“Consumer expectations are changing fast across spirits,” said Steve Jefferson, Founder and CEO of Kuleana Rum Works. “People want honesty in what they drink, and they’re rewarding producers who protect natural flavor rather than covering it up. Additive-free isn’t a trend — it’s becoming the standard, and rum is now facing that shift head-on.”

Additional detail in the letter underscores how production choices such as fresh juice fermentation, low-proof distillation and a strict no-additives policy create transparency and flavor integrity that align with what the market is valuing.

About Kuleana Rum Works

Founded on the island of Hawai‘i in 2013, Kuleana Rum Works crafts award-winning, additive-free rums — led by its signature Hawaiian Rum Agricole® — from fresh kō (heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane) grown on its regenerative Kohala farm. Now available in 17 states and Japan, Kuleana Rum Works champions excellence, transparency and community stewardship. Visit kuleanarum.com to learn more.

https://kuleanarum.com/additive-free/