Kenilworth Wardens Sunday side secured a third place finish in their first season in division three of the Leamington and District Sunday League, courtesy of a final day victory over Sporting Forresters.

In his final game at the helm, manager Paddy Breslin made some unusual selection choices putting captain and goalkeeper Alex Brown up front and starting Cameron Holden between the sticks.

Wardens started off the better side and should have been in front with the usually clinical Dan Twigger guilty of missing three chances.

But Kenilworth's best chance of the opening 10 minutes was a missed open goal by Alex Waters, following a brilliant cross from Brown.

Waters made up for it two minutes later though with a brilliant finish. An Eamonn Richards corner was half cleared to Waters on the edge of the box, who beat his man and calmly curled the ball into the bottom corner through a crowd of players.

Forresters equalized on 25 minutes against the run of play. A back pass was picked up by stand in keeper Holden and Forresters scored the following indirect free kick through Liam Miller.

It took Wardens minutes to restore their lead. Alex Waters won a tackle deep inside his half and passed to brother Charlie. Charlie laid off to Richards who passed into the channel to Brown, who smartly played a first time pass to the on-running Charlie who hammered the ball past the keeper. Both Waters brothers scoring in the same game for the first time.

On the stroke of half time Richards gave a needless free kick away 40 yards from goal, allowing Jack Devonald to hammer the ball into the top corner to equalize again.

Wardens retook the lead on 55 minutes when a brilliant Richards free kick was met by Twigger to volley in from close range. Twigger's 24th goal of the year.

Wardens continued to look dangerous on the counter with Twigger not being able to score three good chances as he was continually played in behind by Richards.

On 80 minutes Richards took a deep free kick, Holden - now playing out field - flicked the ball to Brown who hit a volley first time into the top corner. Capping his first outfield appearance for Wardens with a goal and an assist.

Harry Morris now in goal had a routine save to make but ensured he kept a second half clean sheet.

Following the game Breslin said: "With the recruitment we expect to do in the summer, I think we'll challenge in whichever division we end up in.

"That's not to say there's a lot wrong with the current crop. What we needed more than anything is numbers. We were a pulled groin away from me coming on today and that would have brought the game into disrepute.

"I would like to put on record my thanks to both the committee and all the players at Kenilworth Wardens who have played for me over the last two campaigns. I look forward to supporting them and manager, George Ferridge, in 2023/2024 from the side lines - only this time with a beer in hand."