Kenilworth Wardens firsts ran out 8-1 winners away to Christ the King III's today (April 17) in the second game of their mini-league series.

Wardens were edged out in a tight 3-2 defeat to Folly Lane Reserves last week, and were looking for a big result as they travelled away this weekend.

A big result was what Kenilworth Wardens got, as they embarrassed their hosts 8-1.

The tone of the match was set from the first minute with Wardens immediately stepping onto the ball, dictating play and creating chances.

Three quality openings fell to the away side in the opening exchanges, before Tom Shanley tucked away nicely from a Sam Taylor pass to put Wardens 1-0 ahead after five minutes.

Shanley had chances to double his tally, with an audacious bicycle kick the pick of his first chance attempts.

Wardens continued to dominate the first half with chances created at will, and few openings coming for the home side.

However, it was Andy Whitehouse in the Wardens' goal who was to be the hero of the first half with an impressive reaction save on the 20 minute mark.

A lapse in defensive concentration had yielded Christ the King a rare corner which dropped straight to an unmarked striker on the edge of the six yard box. His snapshot looked destined to hit the back of the net only for Whitehouse to palm the effort over the bar.

As the home side appeared to grow into the game, getting on the ball and stringing some passes together, Wardens doubled their lead on 30 minutes.

A delightful cross from Phill Rudd in the left channel allowed Bed Edmunds to run past the near post defender and flick a header over the onrushing keeper to give the away side a 2-0 lead.

Chances continued to fall to Kenilworth as the half continued but they were unable to find the net again in the opening 45.

With the message from manager Eamonn Richards at half time being "more of the same" Wardens started the second half as strongly as the first.

The away side had the ball in the back of the net just two minutes after the restart courtesy of Guy Pearson, but a dubious refereeing decision kept the score at 2-0.

It took just five more minutes however for Kenilworth Wardens to find that crucial third goal. Richards slipped Edmunds through between the left centre back and full back, allowing the young winger to rush through and claim his second on the day.

Guy Pearson has been accredited with the assist for Edmunds' hat trick goal on 60 minutes. However more thanks should surely be given to the Christ the King defender clearly handling the ball on the line after a sharp Pearson effort.

A penalty was given and Edmunds stepped up from 12 yards, finishing calmly into the top corner to take Wardens 4-0 ahead.

With the win fully assured, the away side continued to commit men forward with Edmunds continuing to be a thorn in Christ the King's side. He was fouled in the box on 65 minutes to give Wardens a second penalty.

Just minutes after coming on Lee Jassi tucked it away nicely for 5-0.

Pearson got his name on the scoresheet twice for goals six and seven. He latched onto a Sam Taylor assist for his first, and then chipped the goalkeeper from 25 yards out following a poor clearance for his brace.

Perhaps the only negative for Wardens today was the loss of the clean sheet. On 75 minutes the referee pointed to the penalty spot, after Whitehouse was wrongly adjudged to have fouled an onrushing striker when attempting to clear the ball from a corner. The resultant spot kick was dispatched cooly by Christ the King.

Any thoughts of a late comeback were quickly extinguished however, as Roger Kingston's mazy run from the left flank and into the box saw him beat countless defenders before sweeping the ball past an onrushing keeper.

Wardens' 8-1 victory today was definitely what was needed after months without football, and they will take bags of confidence into the final game of the series against Triumph Athletic Reserves next week.

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.