Eastleigh 1-7 Southampton: Player ratings from pre-season opener

It was the perfect return to action for Russell Martin's side, who head out to Spain for a week-long training camp on Sunday. 

Adam Armstrong x2, Will Smallbone, Sekou Mara, Ryan Manning, Yukinari Sugawara and Charly Alcaraz scored the goals.

Here are our player ratings...

Southampton's Sekou Mara celebrates scoring their side's fourth goal (Image: PA)

Alex McCarthy - 7.

Good first outing and clean sheet for the shot-stopper. Dealt with being caught off the line from kick-off. Saved from a tight angle inside the area towards the end of his half. 

James Bree - 7.

Solid as you like and made a few interventions without being spectacular. Eastleigh problems did come down his side towards the end of his period. 

Ronnie Edwards - N/A. 

Tidy in possession and brave, could see he was keen to play out. However, he was withdrawn after just 18 minutes and did not re-emerge. Hopefully, he's okay.

Charlie Taylor - 8.

Attempted balls over the top and looked really good both in and out of possession. A natural left-back but has played in a three and offers Martin versatility. 

Flynn Downes - 8.

Played in midfield and centre-back after Edwards was taken off and swept up cleanly, making some key blocks. Ball through to Smallbone for his goal was superb. 

Tyler Dibling - 8.

Great through ball for Armstrong's second goal and will be happy with his performance after stepping in. Attempted one outside-the-foot pass too casually. Good shot saved after the break.

Will Smallbone - 8. 

Shot over from the edge of the area early on but showed his good passing range. A great one-on-one finish to get Saints the third goal. 

Joe Aribo - 7.

Good, simple assist for the first goal by breaking down the left and playing across. Covered some good ground but a bit quieter that some others. 

Will Merry - 6

His first appearance for the senior team and faced his former loan side Eastleigh. Played 45 minutes but had no notable moments to write about. 

Sam Edozie - 7.

Exhibited some early skill in the box and was a constant threat, with his opposite number on toast. Kept high and wide offering the team width to play forward quickly. 

Adam Armstrong - 9.

Fired just wide in the first seconds of the match. Then had a one-on-one saved before he finished at the front post, and latched onto a through ball for a second goal. 

Southampton's Yukinari Sugawara celebrates scoring their side's sixth goal (Image: PA)

Sam Amo-Ameyaw - 9.

Committed to getting forward and had some bright moments in the first period. Good penalty win and starred for the whole second half, setting up chances and goals. Brilliant. 

Jay Robinson - 6. 

Was eager to impress but his control was a little bit loose and the game passed him by quite quickly. Was eventually replaced in the final 15 minutes having not made an impact.

Mat Lis - 6. 

Came on at half-time and did not have a save to make despite not keeping a clean sheet intact. Could not have done much about the goal. 

Yukinari Sugawara - 8. 

Constantly looked to overlap on the right and some of his low balls in were dangerous. Great strike from range for Southampton's sixth goal on the night.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis - 7.

Splitting pass to Sam Amo in the box and not the only one of the night. He constantly looked to play over the top. No notable errors. 

Nathan Wood - 6. 

Looked a bit off the pace in his early engagements, fouling in one for a dangerous free-kick which Saints conceded. Grew into the game though. 

Ryan Manning - 7. 

Had a shot saved soon after coming on, while Eastleigh's goal came from his marking at the back-post. He easily finished for his goal, coming into a rebound in the box. 

Shea Charles - 7. 

Played an important role at the base of the midfield and read the game really well, regularly making interceptions on the edge of the Eastleigh box. 

Charly Alcaraz - 7.

Loose control cost him a golden chance in the box and was not heavily involved despite the fan love-in. Made up for it with a great finish from the edge of the area to score. 

Sekou Mara - 7. 

Slotted penalty away quickly and looked lively in opening engagements. Should have scored with a close-range chance laid on by Amo-Ameyaw but it was saved.