"For us, given the fact that we are a year younger then the other teams, it was always going to be a challenge.

"The last period of the second half was crucial to both sides because that is when they showed their strength," he said.

"As we got tired we made some mistakes and the physicality of the game the took a toll.

"I am pleased with the first 35 minutes, we saw a lot of things that we can build on so I'm pleased.

"Obviously you don't want to give up the amount of goals we did in the end, but the scoreline didn't justify the game."