With only four players over the age of 20, the side came out of the blocks strongly and only faced a 1-0 deficit at the halftime before fitness got the best of them as a classy Panthers' side put away a treble of second half goals.

The result - albeit a difficult one to cop in the first round of the competition - is one that will Shea feels will make his side better off in the long run.

"The young kids were really happy to just ru

n around and our combinations will only get better from here," Shea said.

"Once we get some more training and playing down, things will improve... It's a team with so many young players in it

"The fact that we were only down by a goal at half time gives you an indication of where we're at."

While a young roster often leads to speed and enthusiasm, it can sometimes lack in temperament and discipline and Shea spoke about some of the errors his girls made against what was a much more seasoned opposition.

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"Our lack of experience probably cost us a couple of goals," he said.

"We overcommitted at times and gtt eliminated in some tackles.

"We should have controlled things better and they [Panthers] were good enough to capitalise."

While fitness was admittedly an issue for Shea's side, he was happy with the fast-finishing nature of the performance, as well as the output from three players in particular.

"Our best attacking raid came in the last minute of the game," he said.

"Everyone was trying their best and with a young group, that's all you can ask for. Fitness was a bit of an issue for us but that's another thing that will improve.

"Libby Smith, Kayla Russell and Gemma Leulf all worked hard," he said.

"Libby tried her heart out in the midfield... a lot of other people also did really well but they were probably the hardest workers."

Shea will go back to the whiteboard ahead of CYMS' second round clash with Confederates who are also coming off an opening round loss against Parkes.

Eva Reith-Snare's appearance was an impactful one as she scored her side's lone goal in the 2-1 defeat.

Ex-Services was the third Orange outfit to suffer defeat in the opening frame of fixtures, going down 5-0 to powerhouse St Pat's as Esther Hotham turned it on for Pat's with a treble of goals.

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