Boreham Wood’s new signings impressed as Luke Garrard’s side secured a 3-3 draw against an Arsenal XI after leading 3-1 at half-time in an entertaining friendly.

All four new recruits - Tyrone Marsh, Kabongo Tshimanga, Piero Mingoia and Adam McDonnell - were in the starting line-up for the match against the young Gunners at Meadow Park on Saturday.

The game started with intensity and the breakthrough was made just five minutes after kick-off. Marsh, who signed for the club the day before, made an instant impression as he bundled the ball over the line after a Ryan Huddart free-kick.

Wood kept attacking, putting pressure on their opponents and this paid off again a few minutes later.

Once again, the new signings showed their qualities as Tshimanga and Mingoia teamed up for the latter to fire under Karl Hein, in front of their supporters and their new manager.

Steve Bould’s side created a couple of opportunities around the half-an-hour mark but Nathan Tormey and Flo Balogun failed to hit the target.

Trae Coyle could have helped his team to get on the scoresheet but Huddart kept the Gunners out. However, five minutes before the interval Matt Smith beat him to find the net following a Tormey free-kick.

The home side were able to restore the two-goal advantage just before the break though, and again it was the new signings who made an impact as McDonnell converted from a Tshimanga pass.

Arsenal improved in the second period after making many changes at half-time and created more opportunities.

Tyreece John-Jules and Dominic Thompson both went close before their pressure was rewarded when John-Jules scored. He was to net a second a few minutes later from a penalty after the Gunners had made more changes.

The Wood kept trying until the end of the match but had to settle for a draw in their opening match of pre-season.