Saints Legends fall to penalty shootout defeat

Legends, stunners, penalties and drama.

Former England internationals missed spot kicks, the Saints kitman netted a panenka, and a transport recruitment specialist scored for his side.

That’s exactly what went down in a charity match played out at St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday.

A Saints Legends XI took on a Russell Martin XI in a game that turned out to include all the aspects of a blockbuster professional match.

More than 7,000 spectators watched the game, which was played in support of Saints Foundation, the Russell Martin Foundation, and Sophie’s Appeal, the charity chosen by the Ex-Saints Foundation.

Southampton intends to split the profits equally between each charity.

The likes of Theo Walcott, Francis Benali and Rickie Lambert were included in the Saints’ starting lineup, with legend Matt Le Tissier on the bench.

Former Norwich players Grant Holt and Bradley Johnson were among the starters for Russell Martin’s side.

Saints dominated the early stages with academy graduate Theo Walcott running the show in attack, but it was the Russell Martin XI that struck first and they did so in comical fashion.

A Simon Lappin cross deflected off defender Jose Fonte, going past bemused ‘keeper Kelvin Evans.

The ‘hosts’ soon had a chance to equalise however when Matt Oakley drew a foul in the box and won his side a penalty.

Rickie Lambert stepped up looking to not only equalise but continue the 100% record he enjoyed from the spot while a Southampton player.

It wasn’t to be for the striker though as he saw his tame penalty saved by Jimmy Walker.

Star man Walcott was left with the responsibility of levelling the scores and did so in sensational fashion.

The ex-Arsenal attacker picked up the ball 25 yards out and fired a great effort past Walker to make it 1-1.

The scores weren’t level for long however as Elliott Bennett led a counter-attack for Martin’s side and restored their lead with a thunderous effort to beat Davis in the Saints goal.

In the final minutes of the first-half, Bradley Johnson unleashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner, leaving Davis grasping at thin air and extending his side’s lead to 3-1.

The second half saw yet another stunning strike and that came through Saints substitute James Beattie.

The former England international curled a sublime first time shot to bring the score back to 3-2.

This one-goal deficit did not last for long however as Russell Martin XI sub, recruitment specialist and charity donor Craig Swanborough tapped home from close range to make it 4-2.

Andrew Surman gave Saints a lifeline with a neatly placed first-time left-footed effort into the far corner before Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier came off the bench to make a long-awaited appearance with four minutes remaining.

In added time, Walcott continued to trouble the opposing defence and his trickery paid off when he won a penalty, presenting his side a chance to equalise from 12 yards.

In as if scripted fashion, spot kick icon Le Tissier stepped up and sent Walker the wrong way to make it 4-4, taking the match to a shootout.

It was a good start for Saints in the shootout but successive misses from Beattie and Walcott and a stunning chipped penalty from Southampton kitman Mark Forbes presented Elliott Ward with the chance to win it for the Russell Martin XI and he did just that.

The shootout ended 4-2 to Russell Martin XI after a 4-4 draw in regulation time.