Kenilworth Wardens lost their first game of the season in a tight affair against Coventry Phoenix.

Having started the game well, the hosts took the lead on 10 minutes after three Wardens players failed to clear their lines in quick succession.

Captain Blake Kassar took the ball past James Wilding and shot from a tight angle, excellently beating Tom Day in goal with his shot hitting the post and going in. 

Despite Phoenix's possession Wardens started to look dangerous on the counter attack and equalised on the 20 minute mark.

A goal kick from Day was passed to player-manager Eamonn Richards who passed to Alex Waters in the right back position.

Waters charged forward before passing back to Richards 15 yards inside the Wardens half. Richards hit an excellent first time pass over the full backs head to the onrushing Rhys Palmer. Palmer took the ball in stride and although his initial shot was blocked, he struck the follow up from a tight angle excellently past the phoenix keeper, hitting the post on the way in.

Wardens had their best spell in the following 20 minutes, looking continually dangerous on the counter attack.

Striker Dan Twigger created three chances to score due with his pace, strength and movement, however a mixture of fantastic goalkeeping and great last ditch defending kept the ball out of the Phoenix net.

Twigger's best opportunity was when he dispossessed the Phoenix keeper and shot from a tight angle towards the empty net, however was headed off the line.

Palmer also came close for a second but the Phoenix keeper excellently pushed the goal bound shot over the bar and debutant James Clay header from captain Sol Bloomer's corner hit the bar. 

At the other end Wardens looked comfortable with Alex Cockburn and James Wilding stopping any chances getting to Day in goal.

However on the stroke of half time a counter attack from Phoenix found its way to the back post for the unmarked Phoenix player to score from six yards out to make it 2-1. 

After half time Phoenix managed the game superbly, keeping possession and ensuring wardens were unable to counter, albeit without creating chances to add to their lead. 

On 70 minutes Wardens came close to equalizing; Louis Beck came off the bench and added energy and quality to the midfield and his pinperfect cross was met by an unmarked Twigger, however was comfortably saved by the Phoenix keeper. 

With Wardens pushing forward to get an equalizer Phoenix looked more likely to add a third.

Phoenix had a four on three attack and looked destined to score but was excellently saved by Day in goal.

However Day's best save came on the 85th minute. When a pass was intercepted Phoenix's substitute had a 1-1 with Day.

Day however managed to stand him up before excellently slide tackling to prevent a certain goal. 

With the last kick of the game wardens had one last chance with a freekick 25 yards out. Bloomer took the freekick and put it top corner, only for the Phoenix keeper to make an incredible save. 

"They are a seriously good team," Richards said after the game.

"I felt they were the best team in the league last season, have the best technical and physical players and they have progressed this year.

"I wasn't anticipating them playing with essentially 5 centre mids and with their ability it meant they could just dominate possession. 

"Although they were good value for their win I think we actually had the better chances and despite their domination of the ball their win came down to moments.

"A couple of mistakes and lapses in concentration on our side defensively and just not being clinical enough when we had chances. 

"But, if we perform like that every week, with that commitment, work rate and quality well have a good year. Because we performed really well against a genuinely excellent footballing side.

"And that's with essentially an entirely new side, more we play the better we will become. The players we've brought into the side have all been excellent. It's an exciting time to be a wardens player"