It was a second game against Category 1 opposition for the Blues on Friday afternoon as they went up against Blackburn Rovers.
And the hosts got off to a quickfire start with two early goals.
Ryan Carr pulled one back after the break, but Rovers regrouped to score twice in quick succession in the closing stages of the afternoon's fixture.
Under-18 boss Mark Birch said: "It was a tough game in really hot conditions.
"Blackburn started well and put us on the back foot, and it was just about getting through to half time as we started to settle down a bit.
"They had a new team out for the second half, so they were all fresh legs, but our lads coped with that, which was really pleasing.
"Ryan got us right back in it with a well-taken goal and we looked like the side that was going to go on and score the next goal from there.
"They managed to keep us out and they struck again with another two late on, despite the fact we were still pushing."
"It was a day where we didn't take the chances we created, but we still come away with plenty of positives," he added. "We got everything we wanted to get out of it against a very good team.
"It's more football and pitch time for the players, which is important, and all done in really testing conditions. It was a good game and we thank Blackburn for looking after us."
