CHERRIES’ pre-season schedule began with a 1-1 draw against League One Wrexham in Santa Barbara.
Wrexham, who have achieved back-to-back promotions, snatched the lead on the brink of half-time, James Hill the unfortunate man to head the ball into his own net.
But Cherries equalised early in the second period through Marcos Senesi, which proved to be the end of the scoring.
Iraola used the game against lower-league opposition to give some opportunities from the start to players who did not feature much for the first team last season.
They included young defenders Hill and Owen Bevan, as well as Gavin Kilkenny, Jaidon Anthony and goalkeeper Will Dennis, who all ended last season out on loan.
Striker Daniel Jebbison made his first appearance for the club, having joined this summer. The only player who started Cherries’ last game, at Chelsea in the Premier League in May, as well as this fixture was Antoine Semenyo.
There was a sprinkling of Hollywood stardust on the fixture, Wrexham’s co-owner Rob McElhenney watching on, while Cherries played in a special kit designed by Michael B Jordan. It was a far cry from the last time the two clubs met, in the third tier back in 2005, with more than 13,000 fans watching on at Harder Stadium.
Cherries almost got off to a nightmare start. In the opening minute, the pitch conditions caught out Hill, whose attempted backpass to Dennis was intercepted by Jack Marriott.
The former Peterborough United man fired low across goal, but Dennis did well to save with his left foot.
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There was a worrying moment for Alex Scott soon after, who appeared in pain after a heavy challenge from George Dobson, which earned him a booking. After some medical treatment, the midfielder continued.
The game then settled into a pattern of dominant Cherries possession, seeking a diagonal pass to open up the Wrexham defence, but chances were at a premium.
Cherries were forced into their first change on 29 minutes. Bevan, playing at left-back, was forced off through injury and replaced by Milos Kerkez.
The Red Dragons snatched the lead deep into first-half stoppage time. As Dennis looked to collect the ball on the edge of the box, it slowed up, allowing Sam Dalby to nip in. He teed up Andy Cannon, whose shot was deflected behind off Chris Mepham.
But from the resulting set-piece, Dalby flicked on at the near post, before Hill headed into his own net.
Jaidon Anthony started on his return from Leeds (Image: Robin Jones/AFC Bournemouth)
Iraola rung the changes at half-time, six substitutions in all with Marcos Senesi, Lewis Cook and Marcus Tavernier among those brought on, as Philip Billing started the second period up front.
Wrexham made a strong start to the half, Dennis called into a stop at his near post from Marriott’s shot.
But Cherries quickly got into their stride, looking a lot more dangerous, down in no small part to Dango Ouattara on the left wing.
The Burkina Faso international saw a shot and two crosses blocked, the latter eventually leading to the equaliser on 53 minutes.
Wrexham initially cleared a corner, but Cherries kept play alive, Billing acrobatically finding Senesi at the back post, who got in front of George Evans to bravely head home.
Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo was then called into saves to deny Tavernier and Kerkez, before Cook had a powerful shot blocked.
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson changed his entire XI in the 66th minute, Cherries also using the opportunity to introduce Dominic Solanke and Ryan Christie.
Dennis was called into a stop soon after. Former Scotland international Steven Fletcher did well down to the left, before the ball eventually broke to Anthony Forde, but Cherries’ keeper made the save.
Solanke came close to finding a late winner. Max Aarons sent a ball down the line for the striker to chase, his shot from a narrow angle well stopped by goalkeeper Callum Burton.
Dennis then had to be alert to thwart Fletcher in stoppage time as the game ended all square.
Cherries: Dennis; Smith (Aarons, h-t), Hill (Senesi, h-t), Mepham (Kinsey, 66), Bevan (Kerkez, 29); Kilkenny (Cook, h-t), Scott (Christie, 66); Semenyo (Tavernier, h-t), Billing (Solanke, 66), Anthony (Ouattara, h-t); Jebbison (Faivre, h-t).
Unused subs: Zabarnyi, Adu-Adjei, Travers (g/k), Neto (g/k).
Booked: None.
Wrexham: Okonkwo (Burton, 66), Evans (James, 66), O’Connell (Brunt, 66), Cleworth (Boyle, 66), Barnett (Bolton, 66), Dobson (Davies, 66), Jones (Ashfield, 66), Cannon (Forde, 66), McClean (Revan, 66), Dalby (Fletcher, 66), Marriott (Palmer, 66).
Unused subs: O’Connor, Bickerstaff, Waters, Howard (g/k).
Booked: Dobson.
Attendance: 13,322
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