Kenilworth Wardens brush aside Polonia to continue dominant Bermuda Cup start
By James Smith
7th Mar 2022 | Football
Kenilworth Wardens hosted Coventry Polonia in their latest group stage match in the Bermuda Cup.
Wardens were sitting top of the league after drawing their first game against RS Sports and beating Shilton Firsts 13-0.
Despite missing key players, Wardens continued their good form early on, dominating possession with James Brewitt, the returning Matt Legg and Eamonn Richards patiently keeping the ball for long periods.
After a build up of 20 passes around the back Richards played the ball to talisman Guy Pearson who played a scooped through ball to captain Andy Legg. Legg ran through, cut back, beating his man, before hammering home from 12 yards out to give Wardens an early leave.
Wardens made it 2-0 after 12 minutes. A Richards free kick was half cleared to Luca Valle, who smashed it into the top corner in his trademark form.
Wardens made it 3-0 after 20 minutes. Pearson ran into the box, beating three players, Legg took the ball off him, beat a player and crossed to Pearson who put the ball through the Polonia's keeper's legs.
On 25 minutes Richards took a free kick and expertly found Andy Legg's head, who headed into the top corner.
Wardens made it 5-0 on 35 minutes. Pearson ran down the left and crossed to the back post Legg and Valle attacked the ball, Legg laying it off to Valle who bundled it in from a yard out. The goal was Valle's seventh goal in the past four games - after previously scoring one in his first 10.
Wardens finished the half in complete control, preventing and Polonia shots on target and dominating possession.
Wardens dropped off their intensity in the second half, with Polonia pressing higher.
Polonia got their reward on 55 minutes when a routine long ball wasn't dealt with, Polonia's striker was tackled by Andy Whitehouse in goal, but the ball hit the post and hit Whitehouse on the heel, with the ball trickling over the line.
Despite not playing their best, wardens continued to dominate the game, creating and missing chances.
Wardens made it 6-1 when substitute Louie Beck won possession in midfield and played a brilliant through ball to Pearson, who turned three players before striking the ball into the top corner from 15 yards out - for Pearson's 16th goal of the year.
Matt Legg almost made it seven after he volleyed a Richards corner from the edge of the box, but the Polonia keeper made a world class save to deny him.
Younger brother Andy then showed Matt how to finish, when another Richards corner was headed home by Legg, giving the captain a hat trick and player manager Richards a hat trick of assists.
Wardens had several chances to score more as the game went, but the game finished 7-1.
"Considering we're missing key players like, Griffith, Taylor, Clark, Twigger and Saines, shows what depth and quality we have in this side," said Richards.
"Matt Legg's performance was brilliant along side Castaway (James Brewitt) which was great to see. Really good attitude from Rudd and Butler, volunteering to come off at half time to allow young lads Louie Beck and Louie Rogers to get game time.
"Andy Legg put a performance in, fully justifying the decision to make him captain and deserved his hat trick (and two assists). And Valle's improvement from a pretty passing centre mid to a lethal goal scoring attacking midfielder is one of my favourite things to see this year."
Kenilworth Wardens are proudly sponsored by LPC Sports Therapy and Yoga.
Lead-therapist Lily is a Level Four qualified sports massage therapist and yoga Practitioner, specialising in anxiety support.
Lily is trained to diagnose injuries, rehabilitate, and is fully recommended by players of Kenilworth Wardens.
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