Thank you for all the ideas/suggestions guys it’s much appreciated =D>
I will attempt to raise the grain and lightly sand back and see where I end up. Either way I will use it until I have made something better (cherry,maple or walnut)
I need to learn to be less disheartened when something doesn’t work out...especially this early in my woodworking (this is the first item I have made)
Turn it into another project and try again for the board. It could make a lovely platter, small table/tray top, picture frames, art piece, box lid. All sorts really.