Watch: Morris' penalty heroics send Kenilworth Wardens into next round of Spa Trophies Cup

By James Smith

3rd Oct 2021 | Football


Kenilworth Wardens Sunday side beat Whitnash on penalties in the preliminary round of the Spa Trophies Divisional Cup having twice come from behind to take the game to spot kicks.

In an even first half with few chances, Wardens took the lead on 35 minutes. Tom Holmes drilled in a corner which eluded everyone in the box where James Carro tapped in.

Wardens continued on the front foot and could have added to their lead with a better final ball.

Whitnash started the second half well, scoring two quick goals in the first five minutes.

The first goal saw the Whitnash keeper run from his own box to deep into the Wardens half with the ball before passing it wide, where the Whitnash forward player cut inside and stroked it into the top corner leaving Eddie Morris no chance.

Whitnash's second came from a long ball forward which wasn't dealt with, with the Whitnash striker pulling back for a simple finish.

Wardens pushed for an equaliser and created several half chances.

The hosts then found a goal on 70 minutes in somewhat fortunate circumstances.

Veteran Richard Ward played a good through ball to Toby Wells. Wells could only get a foot to the ball whilst trying to control it, however this inadvertently wrong footed the onrushing keeper and the ball slowly trickled insode the far post to make it 2-2.

Normal time finished with the scores level.

With both sides tiring, the first half of extra time saw very few chances created.

With just ten minutes of extra time remaining Whitnash took the lead again with a carbon copy of their second goal. Going behind woke Wardens up, with the hosts sending more and more players forward for a second equaliser.

With 120 minutes played, the ball fell to Harry Morris on the edge of the box, who beat his man and was fouled in the process.

Wells took the free kick, which squeezed in thanks to a deflection for Wells' eighth goal in four games.

Wardens then came out on top 3-2 on penalties with keeper Eddie Morris proving the hero as he kept out two Whitnash penalties.

Whilst Joe Farez's penalty was saved, Toby Wells, Harry Morris and Callum Checketts all converted their spot kicks sending Wardens into the next round.

Speaking after the game manger Paddy Breslin said: "We turned what should have been a game of football into a dog fight.

"Whitnash will have felt gutted to have conceded so late in extra time and then to lose on penalties. Whilst I didn't learn a fat lot about our team as a group of players I did learn a hell of a lot about their character."

Kenilworth Wardens are proudly sponsored by LPC Sports Therapy and Yoga.

Lead-therapist Lily is a Level Four qualified sports massage therapist and yoga Practitioner, specialising in anxiety support.

Lily is trained to diagnose injuries, rehabilitate, and is fully recommended by players of Kenilworth Wardens.

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