Under-21s fight back to draw at the Wood

Our Under-21s produced a stirring second-half comeback to draw 2-2 at National League side Boreham Wood on Saturday afternoon.

Having been on the receiving end of a remarkable fightback just over a week ago where we squandered a 2-0 lead to lose 5-2 at EFL side Bromley, we showed great character to produce our own comeback as we came up against another senior opponent.

Neither side had quite been able to get a grip of the game in the first half at Meadow Park but, come the second period, and just as we made a number of changes, the Wood caught us cold to break the deadlock on 47 minutes through Charles Clayden. The forward then doubled his side's advantage with just over 20 minutes left to play.

We were down, however we were certainly not out. With 76 minutes on the clock, we got a lifeline as a speculative cross from Tynan Thompson on the left curled over everyone in the Wood box except Reiss Elliott-Parris, who rose highest to flick the ball home. We then restored parity with just six minutes remaining as Callum Olusesi strolled into the box before steering home.

The old adage of a game of two halves could very much be applied to this match. For all the drama that came in the second period, the first half left much to be desired.

A stop-start first half in Hertfordshire, neither side could really take control of the game, but that does not mean there were not any highlights to speak of. Yusuf Akhamrich was a real threat down the right for us but was unable to make the most of the opening which he forced while Reiss Russell-Denny - who wore the captain's armband - impressed in a low-lying role in midfield. We then saw some bright moments from Max McFadden on the left but, when he got himself into good positions his attempts were dealt with by Jeff King.

It could be said that the half-time whistle came at the wrong time for us as it appeared we were starting to grow into the game. That feeling was then hammered home just two minutes after the restart as the Wood came out on the front foot and managed to get themselves in front, Clayden squeezing the ball home from the angle after Jeff King had seen a goal-bound strike from distance blocked.

Despite conceding that goal, we had the better of the next period of play and good opportunities with both Oliver Irow and Rio Kyerematen testing goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore, the latter doing so with a stinging drive from range. However, we went on to fall further behind as on 66 minutes, a slick move through the middle by our hosts saw Clayden released before he fired past Sam Archer.

That didn't discourage our youngsters though and we continued to try to play our football. And that determination was eventually rewarded as, on 76 minutes, Thompson whipped in a cross from deep for Elliott-Parris to deftly flick into the far corner of the goal. With the wind in our sails, we went on to get an equaliser and that was thanks again to our desire and determination. Sensing nerves at the back for the Wood, we pressed high and forced a turnover on the edge of the box. Olusesi was the man to pick the ball up and he took on the responsibility to take it into the box before burying it past Nathan Ashmore.

Both sides then had good chances to win it. First, the Wood saw an effort from Junior Dixon blazed over the bar before Elliott-Parris could only shoot straight at the goalkeeper when the ball sprung to him in the box.