Northern Inland Football technical director Howard Stubbs was happy with the performance of the zone's junior sides in their first big test since the Northern League One resumption.
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All four sides travelled down to Lake Macquarie on Saturday to take on West Wallsend SFC.
The under-13s were the only to record a win, Gunnedah's Jayden Bender's strike proving the difference as they won 1-nil, but the other three sides were very competitive.
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The under-15s had to settle for a 3-all draw after leading 3-2 with about a minute to play.
It was a similar story of heartbreak for the under-14s, who went down 1-nil to a late penalty.
The under-16s were meanwhile beaten 2-1 in what Stubbs described as a "really tough physical battle".
"(They were) For the last 15-20 minutes well on top but unfortunately couldn't score," he said.
It was their first game since March when the competition was suspended. The under-13s, under-14s and under-15s had all played the previous weekend against the Singleton Strikers.
"This was the first real test for us against good opposition," Stubbs said.
"I was really pleased to come away with those results."
He was generally happy with the football that was played, although some of the sides could have "defended better". Some of their finishing also left a bit to be desired.
He coached the under-13s and calculated they probably had "20-odd shots" for just the one goal.
That will something they will be working on leading into their next game.
The under-13s, under-14s and under-15s all have the bye this weekend but the under-16s will play Toronto Awaba FC at Scully Park on Sunday.
