The North Shields-based school had hoped to book their ticket to the National Final at Coventry City's Ricoh Arena with a win at Scunthorpe's Glanford Park but it was not to be as they lost 3-0 in the final.

St Thomas Moore had seen off Liverpool-based Cardinal Heenan Sports College 3-1 to qualify for the play-off but goals from Trinity RC skipper Joseph Dodoo and star striker Louis Greenway-Tambini – both on the books at Leicester City – were enough to see off Ryan Clifford's side.

But Clifford refused to be downcast after his side had fallen at the final hurdle at Scunthorpe.

"It was a very hard game but the lads played really well," he said.

"We did well in the first half to keep it at 0-0 but then they got a couple of goals and took it away from us a bit.

"But it has been an unbelievable experience and I'm sure they'll learn a lot from it.

"There are not many players of their age who get to play on professional grounds.

"They haven't lost since last February and have won five cups this year so it is a bit of a shock for them.

"But to think that we were unbeaten for a whole year is phenomenal and I'm sure they can bounce back.

"The Minute Maid Cup was another superb experience and there is no reason why we can't pick ourselves up and put this to the back of our mind."

To find out more information on the tournament visit www.minutemaidschoolscup.co.uk