3:00pm Sunday 21st February 2010
By Mercury sports reporter
A DEPLETED Athletic slipped to only their third defeat of the season with a disjointed performance at Chard on Saturday.
With key players Joe Stradling and Rex Willis out for the season with injuries, Athletic were further affected by call-ups to the first team, and only 17 players made the journey to Chard.
Despite having plenty of ball in the first half, Athletic played without rhythm and seemed to lose their momentum when they got into dangerous areas.
Trailing 15-0 at half-time, skipper Dave Norman gave Athletic hope when he burrowed over early in the second half, but Chard soon replied in kind.
Although Norman scored two more similar tries, it was not enough, as Chard held on.
Athletic will look to make amends when they host Somerton on Saturday in a rearranged fixture.
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