Northampton Town Under 18s coach Shane Goddard wants his side to raise their standards after they lost 2-1 at home to Southend United in the EFL Youth Alliance League South East on Saturday.
The defeat ended the young Cobblers’ five game unbeaten run in all competitions.
Speaking after the match, Goddard said: “We took too long to get going, but we found a way to be level at half time and we played some really good stuff at the end of the first half.
“There was little between the teams in the second half and the conditions were difficult.
“We’ll play better football this season and lose games, and play worse football and win games, that’s the nature of football.
“We’ve been in some good form and consistency is really important, so we know we’ve got to raise our standards.”
The youth team make the trip to King’s Lynn Town in the FA Youth Cup first round on Wednesday evening.
Goddard added: “The FA Youth Cup speaks for itself and the boys all want to play in it.
“The pressure is on us because we’re playing away to a non-league team.
“They’ll be right up for it so we need to be at our best and treat it like any other matchday.”