Kenilworth Wardens Reserves were unfortunate to come away with nothing in a match that presented few goal scoring opportunities, as they lost 2-1 to Coventry Sky Blues this weekend.

Wardens named three debutants in their line up, all on loan from neighbours Kenilworth Sporting, and they inspired the team to start strongly.

The first effort of the game was a speculative long range drive from James Butcher which sailed wide. Shortly after, Sporting loanee Callum Williams played a teasing through ball between the centre back and full back, Andre Jackson drilled the ball goal-wards, only for the keeper to save with his face.

The bright start continued, with Reeve Deeley a constant handful for the Coventry Sky Blues back four, Williams pulling the strings in the middle, and Lewis Barry was involved a lot on the left. It was on this side that Wardens got their breakthrough.

James Butler, returning to the fold after injury, recovered the ball just inside his own half and bundled through three opponents. The ball fell to Williams, who's quick feet danced past two defenders leaving him one on one to slot past the keeper.

Sky Blues seemed to get a hold of the match after this, as the early dominance for Wardens wore off. A scuffed shot straight at Jack Lea following a defensive lapse and a couple of free kicks in dangerous positions led to nothing, but the signs were there that the home side were creeping back into the match.

Their best chance of the first half came from Wardens own-doing. An innocuous shot from 30 yards was spilt into the striker's path, who may not have expected it, but Lea was able to smother the rebound to make amends.

Wardens created their best chance since the goal just before the break. Deeley chased down a long ball, cut inside, placed a shot from 25 yards that was curling in bottom corner but the keeper got a strong wrist to it, holding Wardens' advantage at 1-0 going into the break.

The second half began in the same fashion, with Sky Blues having more of an influence on proceedings, although they did not create much in the way of goal scoring opportunities.

Wardens looked dangerous on the break, after Alex Waters was on the receiving end of a scything tackle, the referee played advantage as the ball fell to Jackson, who beat his man and got a cross in, only for Williams' glance to be snuffed out.

Wardens couldn't seem to get the second goal which may have put the game to bed, and there was a half chance for Barry, who pounced on confusion between the Sky Blues back four and goalkeeper following a clearance from Joe Carter that held up. Barry beat the keeper to the ball but could only get a corner for his efforts after a defender managed to cover in time.

Coventry Sky Blues issued another warning to the Wardens that the game was not over, after stretching the wardens back line, their striker turned from his marker to get a shot away that hit the outside of the post and went out.

The Wardens may have been forgiven for thinking that their luck was finally in. However the equaliser came shortly after.

A corner was cleared, only for the Sky Blues midfielder to cross the ball back in. The ball was hopeful and was heading straight to Lea, but the ball slept through Lea's fingers and into the net.

Wardens responded well, Rossi encouraging his team mates, but the hammer blow came five minutes from time. An innocuous long ball from a Coventry defender sailed straight over the Wardens high line. The offside trap which had worked well so far, failed, leaving the Sky Blues' striker able to run on and slot the ball into the net.

A disappointing result but encouraging performances from the Reserves.