SAINTS starlet Dominic Ballard topped off a day that included an England under-18 call-up with a goal versus seasoned Premier League defenders, despite heavy defeat.

Dave Horseman’s B team side were beaten 6-2 by Leeds United in front of over 10,000 supporters in Elland Road on Friday evening, in Premier League 2.

The Yorkshire side were already top of Division Two yet were further boosted still due to the first-team having their Premier League clash with Manchester United postponed.

Leeds fielded the likes of Patrick Bamford, Luke Ayling and captain Liam Cooper due to the free weekend ahead of the international break.

Bamford, who has scored 20 times in England’s top-flight, netted a hattrick, and Cooper, Crysencio Summerville and Sonny Perkins completed the scoring for the home side.

Saints scholar of the year Ballard, after netting his first professional goal during the EFL Cup visit to Cambridge United last month, scored from a lightening breakway to reduce the deficit.

Sam Bellis then finished expertly from the area in the final moments of the game, with plenty of learning to take away for the young Saints against a supremely experienced side.

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