Photo: Payo / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
An Arsenal XI began their pre-season programme with a 1-1 draw against Boreham Wood at Meadow Park on Friday night. Bowen Phillips's late finish rescued a point after the hosts had taken the lead in the second half.
The first half produced few clear chances. The best opportunity fell to Evan Mooney, whose dangerous low cross after a one-two with Andre Harriman-Annous evaded three Arsenal shirts in the penalty area. Demiane Agustien also came close with a free-kick that went narrowly wide, and Mooney struck the crossbar with a clipped cross in the final moments of the half.
Both sides made wholesale changes at half-time. Boreham Wood dictated the early stages of the second period, with Abdul Abdulmalik hammering an effort off the crossbar from 20 yards. The substitute goalkeeper Porter then produced a strong save to deny Norris in a one-on-one just before the hour mark.
Arsenal made ten changes of their own at the hour mark. Nine minutes later, Boreham Wood took the lead when Marley Marshall-Miranda's deflected effort found the bottom corner after Norris had fended off Patrick Stachow.
Arsenal levelled with five minutes remaining. A high press won back possession, Marley Frohock cut the ball back, and Phillips fired into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.