While Sunderland under-18s were defeated at Liverpool on Saturday, Elliott Dickman has refused to be downbeat.
The Black Cats were spirited throughout but goals in either half saw the Reds run out 2-0 winners on Merseyside.
Despite falling behind inside 16 minutes, Dickman’s young guns refused to let that get them down as they laid siege in the second period on Liverpool’s goal in an attempt earn a point.
Good combination play from Fergus McAughtrie and Oscar Krusnell saw the lads carve out numerous chances, but the Lads were dealt the knock-out blow in the closing stages as Liverpool went against the tide and netted a second.
Speaking to safc.com, Dickman voiced his disappointment but refused to dwell on what was an overall pleasing display.
“We were pleased with the performance because I don’t think we deserved to lose 2-0,” he said.
“We were disappointed with the first goal we conceded and then we dug in, in the second period but we were dealt another sucker punch.
“In every game there have been some pleasing aspects and it’s all about trying to develop a consistent pattern into our game. We did that in the second half and we produced a good performance without the ball."
He continued: “We had a good team shape, we were workmanlike, we got forward and we had a few chances down the left-hand side from Fergus and Oscar.
“We just needed to have a bit more care and I think if we had taken one of our chances then it could’ve been a different game all together.”