MARLBOROUGH brothers Max, Harry and Tom Etheridge all tasted the bitter pill of defeat in their respective cup finals on Sunday 28 April.

Parents John and Christine faced a race against time to see all three of their sons in action, with two of the games being staged at the County Ground and the third at Calne Town

But the day ended in disappointment. A goal direct from a corner by 11-year-old Max was not enough to prevent Marlborough Youth from going down 6-2 to Eastville Boys in the Swindon League's under 11s final, while Harry, 13, was on the losing side as Wroughton Juniors lost 4-1 to Ferndale at the same venue.

And the family fared little better in the afternoon, with eldest brother Tom, 15, picking up a runners-up medal after Stratton Juniors' 2-1 defeat at the hands of Chippenham.

The trio's father John Etheridge said: "The lads all played very well and it was a shame we weren't successful. They were all a bit disappointed, but it is one of those things in football. They all did well just to make it to the finals."