Pre-Season Continues: Boreham Wood 1 Arsenal XI 7

After all that…there were no tantrums.

No screams, no shouts, no accusations containing the words 'Silver Platter' or 'bottle'. None. Last Friday I went to Meadow Park and instead of screaming and shouting, I sat back and watched a thoroughly entertaining game which the Arsenal XI won at a canter, 7-1. It was clearly a men against boys type of match, with the twist being that the men in this game were at most 21, and some probably have only just done their GCSEs. The utter bastards. I had decided that there are better ways of venting my frustrations than ruining a family evening at Meadow Park, and took my seat with minimal fuss, to the relief of those with me. I always was a keyboard warrior. This sudden laid back reaction was mainly due to the fact that before the game I finally purchased my season ticket. Yesssssssssssssss.

Having followed the Arsenal youngsters fairly closely, mainly through the excellent Young Guns Blog, I was familiar with the majority of the starting XI. For the casual fan, the most notable names on the team sheets would have been Henri Lansbury, back at the club following a loan spell at Norwich and being a member of the ill fated England U21 squad this summer, and Sanchez Watt, who impressed whilst on loan at Leeds United last season.

Wood lined up with two new signings. The first, Luke Wilkinson, was already familiar following his loan spell at Meadow Park, and is warmly welcomed back for another loan from Dagenham and Redbridge to add some steel at centre back. The second, Ollie Palmer, arrives on loan until January from Woking, and offers something different up front, with his height and strength, as well as his ability to hold the ball up on show in flashes during the game. The team was as follows:

Team: Jordan (Sub – Baker-Owers 80 mins.), Sankofa, Brathwaite (Sub – Walker 61 mins.), Garrard (Sub – Akinola 45 mins.), Wilkinson (Sub – Kamara 80 mins.), Hunter (Sub – Yala 61 mins.), Chaaban (Sub –Ruddock 73 mins.), McMahon, Palmer (Sub – Effiong 45 mins.), Noto, Bryant (Sub –Scott-Morris 73 mins.).

The Arsenal youngsters had not conceded during their pre-season campaign thus far, but this record fell after thirteen minutes. I don't think I need to tell you who scored, do I? Yes, it was 'Super' Mario Noto, whose quickly taken free kick caught Arsenal cold and left me regretting even more any negative words I have previously said about him. 1-0 Wood!

It was not to last. By half time it was 3-1 to Arsenal, with Watt, Luke Freeman and Henri Lansbury (with an absolute SCORCHER) scoring for The Gunners. In truth, Arsenal were streets ahead and probably should have gone in six or seven up. The very entertaining first half was mainly sound tracked by Arsenal cult hero Marina's cries of 'COME. ON. YOU. GUNNNNNERS' echoing throughout the ground (Quick aside - this woman is a hero. She is at every game (to my knowledge at least), home and away, and if you listen out on live coverage of Arsenal you can often hear her cries. I salute you Marina, if there were more like you at The Emirates I'd probably be there with you). Boreham Wood's other best chance of the half came from an excellent Charlie Hunter effort from a well worked corner, but otherwise they were mainly chasing shadows.

At half time, we (myself, my girlfriend Sarah and our friend Tunde) stopped for a drink in the supporters bar, which I have not visited in years. Once I was in there, I could see why it was so highly thought of - it's big, comfortable and with a round of 2 pints and a vodka and coke coming back with a bit of change for a tenner, not bad value either. Also, and this is probably the most important part, you can take a pint back in with you and watch the game whilst having a drink. Now, this is the norm at most Non-League grounds I'm sure, and I have on many occasions enjoyed a NL match with a pint or a glass of Baileys in hand, but it remains a novelty for the time being.

Tunde himself had taken a shining to the facilities, but it was a different kind of bar he was infatuated with - the burger bar. By the time the match was over he had gotten through three quarter pounders, which speaks volumes of both the quality of the catering at Meadow Park and the man's ability to eat. I can vouch myself that the burgers were indeed of very high standard, so expect an additional few extra stone put on over the course of this season. Sarah went for a cup of chips, the quality of which I cannot comment on.

The second half saw Arsenal move the ball about with ease, and the last 25 minutes were basically a passing exercise for him. Sanchez Watt went on to complete a Hat-trick, with Serge Gnarby (with a HEADER) and Kyle Ebecilio completing the rout. Most worrying from the second half (aside from Tunde's ability to inhale burgers) was an injury to Man of The Match (for Wood) Mario Noto, who appeared to badly damage his ankle in the build up to Watt's 3rd (the last kick of the game) and had to leave the pitch on a stretcher. I've heard no official word as to the actual diagnosis, but I am hoping that it is nothing more than a sprain and he'll be ready for the start of the season. Almost as bad as Noto's injuries was the conduct of three idiots in attendance, who seemed to take great satisfaction in mocking Noto whilst he lay in obvious pain. I have no time for Morons like this and hopefully won't encounter them again this season (especially if they read this).

There isn't much you can take out of a game like this - Arsenal were always going to win very comfortably. Noto was Wood's standout performer, and Simeon Akinola again impressed from the bench, but you can't judge them against this quality of player, even if they are youth/reserves. The experience gained from this game should help, and with half the proceeds of the game going to The Peace Hospice, as well as a family atmosphere inside the ground, it was just a nice evening of football. Not often you can say that.

As an added bonus - HERE ARE SOME MATCH HIGHLIGHTS.


Wood continued Pre-Season the next day, with a win at London Colney. The match report can be found here. Last night, they travelled to Hemel Hempstead, and came away with a 2-2 draw. Again, the match report can be found here. I will say that despite not being at the away friendlies, it is encouraging to hear of the form of Charlie Hunter and Inih Effiong in these games, which will hopefully be reflected in first team minutes and goals. With a team like Wood, who have had a number of fresh faces coming into the squad over the summer, these pre-season matches are mostly important for getting the team to gel, as well as getting that sharpness back ahead of their first game, which is rapidly approaching.

Whilst the subject of new signings is in the mind, be sure to check out my next post, where I'll be looking at all our new recruits, and how even at this level of football, you are not far away from a 'tapping up' story.

Feedback welcome as always, either here or on twitter @wearethewood. Please continue to share the blog, even if it's to say it's a bit rubbish.


Until then (most likely tomorrow)

WE ARE THE WOOD!


(Picture owned by and courtesy of Tunde McKay)