A Southampton legends side faced a Russell Martin XI at St Mary’s on Sunday in a charity match.
The international break has seen five of Southampton’s current players go away to represent their countries, but the break in club football also provided the perfect opportunity to stage the charity match.
The proceeds from the match, auction and raffle were split three ways between the Saints Foundation, The Russell Martin Foundation, and The Ex-Saints Association on a day that showed everything good about football.
There were many familiar faces on display as the likes of Matt Le Tissier, Rickie Lambert and Kelvin Davis lined up for the Southampton XI, whilst Grant Holt, Wes Hoolahan and Martin himself provided the opposition.
It was a high-scoring affair as the match ended 4-4 before Martin‘s side took the win on penalties after Theo Walcott fired his spot-kick over the bar.
Former Southampton stars on playing together
Walcott may have missed his penalty but he did score from range as he started in a front three with Lambert and Shane Long.
Many of the ex-Saints player’s careers would never have crossed over and that is the case for Walcott and cult hero Francis ‘Franny’ Benali.
Benali was known for his no-nonsense approach across 348 Southampton appearances and is still very involved in the club, particularly when it comes to raising money for charity.
Benali and Walcott are both products of the Southampton academy and the pair spoke highly of each other at St Mary’s.
Southampton journalist Alfie House posted on X that Benali said: “Theo still looks like he’s 16 or 17. He’s doing very well, there’s a big difference between us.”
Whilst Walcott said: “It’s an honour to be on the pitch with Franny, for everything he has done and continues to do.”
How the scoring went in Southampton legends vs Russell Martin XI
The first goal of the 4-4 draw was scored by a Southampton legend, but unfortunately for Jose Fonte it was in his own net.
The Euro 2016 winner will have thanked Walcott for quickly levelling the scores before goals from Elliott Bennett and Bradley Johnson put Martin’s side of ex-teammates 3-1 up.
Former fan favourite James Beattie reduced the deficit off the bench before a competition winner restored Martin’s team’s two-goal lead to make it 4-2.
Andrew Surman again cut the lead to one before Le Tissier scored a penalty in the 91st minute to take the exhibition to penalties.
Legendary Saints kit-man Mark Forbes scored a Panenka in the shootout to the delight of the fans, but misses from Beattie and Walcott handed the Russell Martin XI the win.