Mix of old and new pays off for Kenilworth

Jason Bradshaw, George Hallard and Alex Unitt all started for Town, with the fourth of the debutants, Kurt Parsons, coming on from the bench.

However, playing their first Midland Combination Division Two match since New Year’s Day, Town were understandably rusty and found themselves 2-0 down inside the first 15 minutes.

With the hosts’ pace causing Kenilworth all sorts of problems, Shearsby reverted to 4-4-2 and his side were back level by the break.

A neat through ball from the impressive Unitt set Filippo Mannina away for his first goal of the season in the 25th minute and the debutant again turned provider for the second, which was neatly finished by Adam Edwards.

Town made a tenative start to the second period, but took the lead for the first time on the hour-mark when Chris Hanrahan latched on to Mannina’s cushioned header to volley into the bottom corner.

Demoralised by the goal, the hosts started to make mistakes and only poor finishing prevented Kenilworth from recording a more emphatic win.

They did eventually add a fifth, though, with Unitt opening his account by heading in Edwards’ corner.

“Everyone played their part in this game,” said a delighted Shearsby after the game.

“The front pairing of Jason Bradshaw and Alex Unitt was really good at times and the attitude of everyone was superb.

But the manager’s man of the match went to Filippo Mannina who was superb all over the park.”

Town face a derby encounter at home to Leamington Hibs tomorrow (3pm).

 Kenilworth Town Ladies gained the perfect revenge for an early-season defeat against Continental Star by beating them 9-1 in the return fixture.

A first-half hat-trick from Alex Shilton and a goal from Kim Dougherty gave Town a commanding half-time lead, with Bonnie Mountford (2), Kat Ellis, Lucy Stevenson and Kirsty Lloyd piling on the misery for Star after the break.