Kingham offers no excuses after tasting first defeat

Missing the injured Joe Graham and the unavailable Adam Edwards and Alex Shaw, a reshuffled Town side struggled to gel and found themselves deservedly behind at the break.

The hosts doubled their advantage before Shane Brassington pulled one back, calmly slotting the ball past the keeper after being put clear by Matt Lendon.

However, with Town chasing an equaliser, Studley scored a third to make sure of the three points and Kingham said he could have no complaints.

“We were forced to make several changes and we missed the players who weren’t here,” said Kingham.

“It took a bit of time for us to settle, but Studley were a very good side, certainly nowhere near what their league position suggested.”

He added: “I thought we had a good second half and lads showed more character in difficult conditions and on a very small bobbly pitch.

“However, Studley bagged a third and, although were still creating, I don’t think we deserved anything from the game.”

A disappointing day for the club was compounded when Town’s reserves exited the Evesham Hospital Cup with a 2-0 defeat at Badsey United.

Town dominated the first 20 minutes without finding the finishing touch and were dealt a double blow when Jan Wara was injured by a reckless tackle and then Vlad Polak was sent off for two yellow cards.

Sixteen-year-old Dale Stock was introduced for his debut in the centre of midfield and despite their numerical disadvantage, Kenilworth continued to look the better team.

However, Town tired as the second half wore on and were pressed deeper and deeper back by Badsey, eventually conceding two goals in the final ten minutes.

Club secretary Matthew Sewell was proud of the effort put in by the reserves, believing the sending-off was a turning point.

“I can’t fault the team,” said Sewell. “Everybody worked as hard as they could for as long as they could.

“Playing for 70 minutes with only ten men on a heavy pitch was hard work.

“However, we stuck at it and it was only a deflected shot that finally broke the deadlock.

“There’s no doubt that Badsey had more chances and possession, but we were within a few minutes of taking the tie to penalties when anything could have happened.”