CHARD Under-18s threw away a three goal lead at Bridgwater last Thursday night, to slip tamely out of the Roger Stone Memorial Cup in the first round.

For the first half hour, Chard were a different class and raced into a three goal lead.

Dan Anjos had already missed a clear chance before Matt Buse set up Braeden Symes to fire a cross-shot low into the net to put Chard into a tenth minute lead.

It wasn’t long before Louis Irwin converted a penalty, after being brought down.

Then Symes lobbed the home ‘keeper from 30 yards, to make it 3-0 to Chard.

However, Bridgwater were level by the break, as a 30 yard shot, a defensive error which saw the ball trickle over the line, and an equalizer direct from a corner – which 16-year-old Jack White, deputising for regular ‘keeper Jake Symes, could only palm into his own net – transformed the game.

Midway through the second half, another soft shot put Bridgwater ahead for the first time, and Chard rarely looked like getting back into the match.

Chard: Jack White, Matt Buse, Jordan Storey, Josh Parsons, Lewis Fisher, Kieran Adams, Dan Anjos, Cory Slocombe, Callum Mooney, Braeden Symes, Louis Irwin. Subs: Jordan Chant (Slocombe 45mins) Jack Male (Fisher 65mins) Scott Jakeman (Buse 60mins).