A Dylan Wright strike was enough for Kenilworth Wardens to edge past Southam into the next round of the Stan Oulds Cup.

Wardens and Southam had contrasting experiences in their first game of the season with Southam winning 3-2 against Covertrians reserves, and Wardens being humbled with an embarrassing defeat against the impressive Brinklow.

The unexpected rivalry between the two teams occurred with Southam signing five Wardens players over the summer, only for two, Hayden Twycross and Flynn O'Keefe to return to Wardens after being deemed surplus to requirements.

They both started the game for the visitors which quickly fell into a pattern of Southam dominating possession and Kenilworth trying to counter.

On the break, both Jack Thomas and Dylan Wright had half chances which went wide.

On 15 minutes the game opened up after an excellent counter attack started by Harry Dunn ended in a penalty. However, Thomas was unable to convert it.

Five minutes later, a Southam loose pass was picked up by Eamonn Richards on the edge of the box, his left footed cross found Wright who controlled and hammered between the keepers legs for 1-0.

Shortly after, Wardens went momentarily down to 10 men when the otherwise excellent Alex Bradley was sinbinned for disagreeing with a decision.

With a man advantage, Southam thought they equalised from a corner, but it was disallowed for a clear push on the keeper Mark Hickey.

The second half fell into again familiar pattern of Southam having possession and Wardens trying to counter.

The visitors had the better of the chances with debutant Hurst, Cockburn, Farraz and man of the match Twycross all coming close to adding another goal. Hickey remaining untroubled in the Wardens net.

"Tuesday night games aren't the easiest to manage, with lads coming at different times from work," Richards said after the game.

"But I gave a team talk today about doing the basics well and making memories.

"And it was so much fun, they did the basics so well I'm not sure if I remember a single chance they had. Only issue I had is we should have won by more.

"I have a lot of respect for what Southam are doing and the work they have been doing, sure they'll achieve their goal.

"But my focus isn't about winning and losing, it's about creating a culture of supporting young lads to be the best versions of themselves on and off the pitch. And with that results will come.

"And I'm so proud of so many of them today, especially Flynn and Hayden."