Kenilworth Wardens lost out to Copsewood in a dramatic penalty shootout as they missed the chance to lift the Stan Oulds Cup at the first attempt.

The Glasshouse Lane outfit had led twice in normal time, only for a 91st minute equaliser to force the game to spot kicks.

But while his side lost out 7-6 on penalties, player-manager Eamonn RIchards still praised his players after the game.

"We can't control the result we can only control performance levels" he said.

"And our performance levels were great today.

"We had a 10 minute spell in the first half where defensively we weren't organized enough, we readjusted and they didn't threaten us and we looked like we could have scored more."

Wardens looked dangerous in the opening moments, with their direct approach causing Copsewood problems. Ben Edmunds looking sharp had two early chances which were blocked for corners.

Wardens deservedly took the lead after 15 minutes. A long ball forward was half cleared to Richards 40 yards out. Richards' brilliant first time pass found Edmunds inside the box who calmly passed it into the corner to open the scoring

Within 10 minutes the game was turned on its head. Copsewood's centre midfielder turned Richards 25 yards and shot, the bounce taking it over Andy Whitehouse in the goal.

Moments later Copsewood took the lead. A ball into the channel was raced onto by Copsewood's striker who hit the ball early with the outside of his right foot leaving the onrushing Whitehouse with no chance.

Wardens came close to equalizing when Jack Thomas won a free kick on the edge of the box. Dan Twigger stepped up to take it but his powerful shot was excellently saved by the Copsewood keeper - a save of the season contender.

But on 35 minutes Wardens did manage to draw level.

Phil Rudd won a brilliant tackle on the edge of the box and the ball fell to Twigger deep in his own half. The Wardens forward smashed the ball 60 yards to Edmunds who took the ball out the air, shrugged off his marker before putting the ball between the keepers legs.

The second half fell into an early pattern of Copsewood having possession but not creating chances. At the other end Jack Thomas looked dangerous moving into the number 10 role and narrowly hit over after beating two players from a Richards pass.

Wardens took the lead for a second time on 65 minutes. From a throw in captain Andy Legg won the first ball then hit the ball to Edmunds.

The young forward's cross was flicked on by Legg, Wells took the ball out the air in the box, and flicked to Twigger who smashed in with the outside of his right foot.

Having restored their lead Wardens were comfortable without possession, hitting Edmunds on the counter attack. Copsewood's had a chance on 80 minutes forcing Whitehouse into a brilliant save at the back post.

But on 91 minutes a shot from 30 yards from Copsewood's centre mid managed to find its way into back of the net, forcing penalties.

An exciting penalty shootout led to Copsewood winning 7-6 on the ninth penalty.

"Andy Whitehouse has been our best and most consistent player this year and we wouldn't have been in this cup final without him, we win and lose as a team," Richards added.

"Fair play to Copsewood, they have some great young players and rightly celebrated heavily. But I feel we deserved to win that today. Obviously gutting to lose, especially on penalties but we can't control results.

"We've progressed non stop for the last five years, we need to ensure we continue to improve and progress and that this game/moment is an annotation in success rather than the start of decline."