Meadow Park was treated to a cracking Premier League 2 match on Friday evening.

Mehmet Ali's Young Guns staged a thrilling comeback from 2-1 down to beat Saints 4-2 at Boreham Wood in front of watching Arsenal Academy boss Per Mertesacker. 

An early strike after only 180 seconds by Arsenal No9 Nathan Butler-Oyedeji suggested an easy night at Boreham Wood for Ali’s talented academy side. And perhaps if Osman Kamara has slotted home moments later, instead of Saints keeper Josh McNamara blocking his effort it could have been.

Yet, Adam Asgar’s battling Saints showed character to restore parity on 22 minutes, when No9 Luke Pearce lobbed keeper Ovie Ejeheri to level and make the score 1-1 before the half hour at Meadow Park.

Worse was to come for the home side when Saints scored direct from skipper Cameron Bragg's corner as keeper Ejeheri failing to claim the cross to make it 2-1 to the visitors. 

While Arsenal had lost just twice in the league all season, Saints hopes were high at the interval with the thought that Ali’s side were without a win in their last two matches - with their second league defeat coming at the hands of Wolves at the end of January, followed up with last week's 1-1 draw against Leeds United last Friday.

However, the home side showed their quality to level at 2-2 when a cracking strike flew into the top corner from range by No11 Osman Kamara – who set the tone by promptly racing back for the restart, keen to hunt for a winner.

The Gunners second half dominance was sealed when Ismail Ouland M’Hand fired home after a relatively quiet game up to that point, with an excellent strike from the edge of the area to put the home side 3-2 ahead.

As if to underline Arsenal’s superiority a fourth goal duly arrived shortly afterwards when the excellent Jimi Gower slotted home for 4-2.

Find out which Young Guns impressed with our Gooner Fanzine Player Ratings from Meadow Park

1 – Ovie Ejeheri: 5/10 - Unconvincing handling and distribution but still has plenty to learn about his craft. Not least when attempting to claim crosses as witnessed by his failure to claim Saints skipper Cameron Bragg’s corner which ended up in the net. Replaced at half time with the swap announced as a concussion substitution  

2 – Michal Rosiak: 6.5/10 - Solid without being spectacular with the dead ball specialist unable to influence proceedings

3 – Ayden Heaven: 6.5/10 - Engaged in an absorbing duel with Saints No7 Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez but perhaps needs to be more decisive at times as well as work on his decision making 

4 – Joshua Robinson: 6.5/10 - Had an outstanding game this time last week culminating in his equaliser against Leeds. Not as influential this week, albeit from a more central backline position. Not as impressive powering forward against the Saints with work required on his final ball 

5: Maldini Kacurri: 6/10 - Not afraid to put his foot through the ball when circumstances required but sucked out of position at times. Technique needs work as does his distribution

6: Jack Henry-Francis (c): 7/10 - Tenacious but perhaps need to be stronger in the tackle

7: Ismeal Kabia: 6.5/10 - Neat and tidy and travels with the ball well, while also possessing guile enough to beat his man at times, but not as influential as he would have liked

8: Ismail Oulad M’Hand: 7/10 - Talented but ineffective and underwhelming on the night – that was until his absolutely superb strike midway through the second half that put the Gunners 3-2 ahead

9: Nathan Butler-Oyedeji: 7/10 - Got on the scoresheet after only 180 seconds with a superb curler from the edge of the box into the top corner to put Mehmet Ali’s side ahead. A lively performance to never let the Saints backline fully settle  

10: Jimi Gower: 7.5/10 - Provided useful interceptions while also showing real promise driving forward with the ball in tight situations. A real battler and pleasingly decisive in the tackle but offers so much more with his intelligent vision, technique and desire to push his team forward. Deserved his goal to make it four and cap an entertaining comeback

11: Osman Kamara: 7/10 - Should have scored with the goal at his mercy moments after the opener but Saints keeper Josh McNamara blocked well. Made up for it with a cracking second half strike from distance that ended up in the top corner to make it 2-2

Substitutes: 

Alexei Rojas Fedorushchenko: 7/10 - Came on for Ejeheri at the break with the Gunners starting keeper taken off as a precaution after what was described as a ‘concussion substitution’

Luis Brown: N/A on for Kamara with moments remaining