Kirk Richings' superb strike was all that separated Kenilworth Wardens and Jet Blades in a tightly-contested Coventry Alliance game.

The hosts had the better of the opening exchanges with debutant Matt Jadhav impressing early on. Kenilworth had an early chance when Jadhav took a free kick which was met by Oli Flynn, who could not angle his volley on target from eight yards out. 

Flynn came close moments later when a clearance from Blades goalkeeper Ethan Murray fell to him 20 yards out, but his effort flew off target.

Wardens thought they had taken the lead 20 minutes in when an excellent corner by Flynn was met by James Clay at the back post, who powered his header past Murray.

However the referee blew for a foul off the ball.

Dylan Wright also came close twice after his workrate won the ball back high up, however both efforts were comfortably saved by Murray. 

The pressure continued and Blades were unable to create an opportunity thanks to good defending from the Wardens back line. 

Before half time another corner came close to a goal when Jadhav's header was cleared off the line by Blades. 

Wardens best chance of the half came from the ball won high up and played to captain Sol Bloomer crossed to Hayden Twycross, who met the ball eight yards out with a diving header which was excellently saved by Murray. 

After half time Blades improved and created their first chance. An excellent free kick was whipped across the box however it was missed by everyone and crept wide of the post. 

On 70 minutes Wardens came close to opening the deadlock again. Eamonn Richards intercepted the ball high up and played to Jadhav, who crossed to the open Ferridge, but his headed effort was straight at the keeper.

Against the run of play Blades took the lead when a free kick was initially defended, the ball fell to Richings 25 yards out who brought it down on his chest before volleying, wrong footing Wardens keeper Tom Oliver. 

Wardens pushed for an equalizer and it almost came with five minutes left. Bloomer fed Ferridge in behind with his powerful shot beat Murray but canning off the post. Blades held on to take them third in the league. 

"We had a starting age of outfield players today of 21," Richards said after the game.

"The performance was good, workrate was excellent and for the majority of the game we were the better team, just had a real lack of conviction in the final third, poor decisions, poor movement and poor finishing. 

"It's frustrating because our performance deserved a win or at least a draw. But if you don't score when on top then you don't deserve a win. 

"We have players coming back in the next few weeks and will need to find a balance between energy levels and experience."