After drawing against Dunlop Reserves 2-2 a fortnight ago, and losing last week, Wardens Firsts were desperate for a first win of the year. Wardens faced league-leaders Dunlop at home, winning the game with a comfortable 5-0 against a very strong opposition.

Wardens were strengthened by the returning Matt Legg, Dan Neeld, Roger Kingston, Phil Rudd and Dan Twigger.

The home side started off solidly, often managing to catch Dunlop offside in the first 20 minutes due to Legg and man of the match Neeld's line and communication. Despite Dunlop having the better of the ball, Wardens looked more likely to score.

After 25 minutes, Guy Pearson beat his man on the left wing, putting a brilliant cross over, which was half-cleared straight to captain Sam Taylor. 18 yards out, Taylor calmly passed the ball into the bottom corner, putting Wardens 1-0 up. Taylor's first goal since scoring in the cup final on the May 10 2019.

A few minutes later Taylor won a free kick. The dead ball was dispatched by Andy Legg, albeit with a deflection, into the net. Making the score 2-0 going into the half time break.

Dunlop had the better of the first 10 minutes of the second half, with goal keeper Andy Whitehouse making a couple of smart saves.

Left midfielder Guy Pearson took the game into his own hands when he began to dominate Dunlop's right back, Allowing Wardens to press forward into the game.

Pearson's play provoked a reaction in the Dunlop team, an exchange of words were followed by a head butt landed on Pearson and then several punches thrown from Dunlop in a melee that followed. Several yellow cards for Dunlop, but no reds were shown following the incident.

Justice, however, was shown on the pitch. The following free kick was taken by Archie Evans, who floated a superb ball over for Rudd to make it 3-0.

Ben Edmunds was brought on straight afterwards, and immediately scored a volley from another Archie Evans free kick.

Edmunds then turned provider. After beating the Dunlop defence, he turned and played the ball to fellow substitute James Butler, who smashed the ball under the Dunlop's keeper. Butler scoring his first goal for the Wardens in his first appearance off the bench.

The full time whistle brought a 5-0 win for the Wardens, a fully deserved win against a strong Dunlop side, giving the Kenilworth club their first three points of the season.

Kenilworth Wardens Firsts results

Kenilworth Wardens FC 5-0 Dunlop Reserves (October 3)

Kenilworth Wardens FC 1-4 AFC Coventry (September 26)

Dunlop Reserves 2-2 Kenilworth Wardens FC (September 19)

Jaguar/Daimler P-P Kenilworth Wardens FC (September 12)

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.