Kenilworth Wardens beat Coventry United under 21s 1-0 to set up a semi final against Coventry Phoenix in the Bedworth Nursing Cup. 

The game started slowly for both sides as they tried to get to grips with the poor playing conditions. Fifteen minutes in Jack Boden came close to opening the scoring, his 25 yard free kick was goal bound until an excellent top corner save was made by United’s keeper.

Boden came close twice more, however his shots were both put narrowly wide. 

Wardens thought they had taken the lead when man of the match and skipper James Butler drove from inside his own half, beating five men before entering the box. A defender got between Butler and the ball however fell over as Butler rounded him and chipped the keeper.

However this was disallowed due to an apparent foul Butler had committed in the build up. 

Around the half hour mark United began to dominate and should have gone ahead when a Wardens mistake allowed United’s striker a one-on-one opportunity, but he crossed to his teammate who volleyed over the bar from six yards out. 

United had two further opportunities where they should have taken the lead in quick succession. The first was hit wide and second where Butler made a goal saving tackle four yards out. 

United started the second half the better side again, but did not test keeper Tom Day.

Against the run of play Wardens took the lead on 55 minutes. A cross into the box was cleared high 30 yards out, Sol Bloomer brilliantly volleyed first time to Hamza Alaeddine on the edge of the six yard box.

Alaeddine's first touch sent both defenders and the keeper the wrong way before he calmly passed the ball into the net. 

Wardens made two changes with Harrison Wright and James Brewitt coming on, both making an immediate and helped Wardens to dominate the game.

Kenilworth should have furthered their lead with Eamonn Richards setting up Bloomer who hit the ball narrowly over, Alex Waters setting up Wright whose excellent shot hit the inside of the post before traveling down the line, Richards setting up Brewitt for a free shot four yards out which Brewitt mishit and Bloomer scoring a goal which was bizarrely ruled offside for a player who was not involved in the play. 

With these chances not going in, United pressed hard for an equalizer however due to good defending from Wardens back line they weren’t able to test Day in goal. Game finishing 1-0. 

"They were a much better side than I thought they’d be or their results suggest," player-manager Richards said after the game.

"I think if they’d scored in the 15 minute spell at the end of the first half they’d have gone on to win.

"Obviously both teams just lack a natural goal scorer which was really obvious to anyone who was watching the game. 

"Wasn’t happy with a lot of aspects of the play today, really missing Twigger with his suspension. but defensively we were really good for the majority of it. That’s the third time I’ve had Waters, Bradley, Cockburn and Butler as my back four and we’ve won all three and conceded just one goal.

"And me and James in midfield felt worked well and that’s the third game in a row we’ve played together in front of the defence and kept a clean sheet. 

"Thought one of the biggest differences today was the two subs who came on, both Brewitt and Harrison were excellent.

"Also mention to Butler who was absolutely brilliant the whole game and Sol with his fifth goal contribution of the season. Great to get back to winning ways and get into the semi final."