Kenilworth Wardens Reserves were unfortunate to lose an extremely tight game away at high-flying Craven Athletic, finding themselves on the wrong end of a refereeing decision in a 2-1 defeat.

Bouncing back from their disappointment two weeks previously against Stockingford, Wardens set up in a 4-4-2 formation, looking to build from the back, use their strength up front and be solid defensively.

The first half saw both sides probe to not much effect for long periods, with captain Dane Watt firing wide before Craven Athletic hit the post from a counter attack.

Having an extra man in midfield gave Craven the upper hand, but the Wardens back four stood solid until ten minutes before the half time whistle.

The Craven Athletic left-back advanced forward and handled the ball after being tackled, sending it into his path before he crossed for his striker who got between the Wardens centre halves to bundle past Carrow in the Wardens goal.

Despite protests, the goal stood and Wardens found themselves 1-0 down at half time.

In the second half, manager Tom Perrin reverted to his trusted 4-3-3 and put an extra body in the middle of the park, to both stem the flow of Craven counter attacks and give his side a stronger presence in the middle of the park.

Wardens coped with everything Craven threw at them in the second half. Young right back Pablo Scopes stood out in a man of the match performance, whilst fellow youngster Mackenize Wood came on at left back to give Wardens more impetus going forward as they chased what would have been a deserved equaliser.

Sean Povey hit an effort from long range before seeing a header whistle past the post as the Kenilworth side pushed forward.

But it was Craven that got their goal, making it 2-0 after a cross wasn't cut out and the Craven striker slid in for 2-0, beating Carrow in the Wardens goal, who himself had denied the same striker minutes before with an excellent one on one save.

With ten minutes left, Wardens didn't let their heads drop and continued to push forward.

James Butcher, who had been a rock in midfield all game long, got the Wardens back into it, whistling a free kick into the corner with seven minutes to go.

In dying moments, Wardens forced a corner followed by a couple of free kicks which were dealt with by Craven Athletic, who held on to their slender lead, leaving Wardens disappointed at the end, but not disheartened.

Player-manager Tom Perrin was positive after the game, saying: "We're right to be disappointed with the result, but the effort was fantastic throughout, and we were so close to getting a result against a good footballing side.

"The game was one of fine margins, and I am sure that in the reverse fixture, it'll be a different story. The players worked hard today, defended well and fought right until the end. That attitude and application will get us far."

Wardens Reserves, after four successive away games, are back at home next week as they take on Folly Lane C's.

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