But coaches Dave Martin-Chambers and Hayley Stirling were not dismayed, since their new side showed great promise against the experienced Northerners and in an impressive first half, carved out several good chances to score.
''The team stuck to the structure we decided on, and played a steady passing game, that we can build on,'' Stirling said. And certainly, South's ''new look'' team created a cutting edge that had Theresa Rhein involved in a one-on-one chance against the Northern keeper, Erin Naylor, in the 10th minute, but the experienced keeper did well to grasp the ball at a second attempt.
So the pattern was set, as South absorbed Northern attacks and bravely tried to construct passing moves and retain good possession, with lone striker Rhein holding the ball up as support arrived from midfield, in the shape of Alex McIntosh and Shontelle Smith.
Both sides made their share of mistakes, South sometimes hitting ambitious passes that went astray, and the Northern side was guilty of being caught in possession and being robbed by South as predictable square passing allowed some robust tackling.
However, South failed to capitalise on several gilt edged chances, and as the game progressed, Northern's Nicole Stratford scored with a 25th minute shot that gave South keeper Tessa Nicol no chance.
South continued to play patterned football, with Smith and Kelsey Kennard setting up wing attacks, but resultant crosses rarely found the feet of supporting players and half chances went begging.
Just when thoughts were turning to halftime team talks, Northern's Katie Jackson scored a psychological killer blow to make the score 2-0 in the 45th minute.
Despite a second half rally by South, the experienced Northern side stroked passes around, kept possession, and keeper Naylor swept behind her composed central defence.
Northern coach Jennie Bindon, a record breaking keeper with 77 international caps for New Zealand, was well satisfied with her first game in charge of Northern Football.
Her side had a balance of senior and youth internationals, which included six junior players as she made substitutions.
''Erin [Naylor] in goal had to make a couple of saves that tested her; Tayla O'Brien was a key player in midfield; and while I am pleased with the three points, we have plenty to work on at training,'' she said.
South's Martin-Chambers and Stirling were pleased with much in the game - good athleticism, good skills and passing - but their concern was a lack of teeth in attack.
''You have to score to win games,'' said the former English professional, ''but we did create chances, and when we convert those we will start winning games.''
