SAINTS under-18s were defeated 6-1 at West Ham United’s London Stadium, in the FA Youth Cup semi-final.

The young Saints were denied the chance to play Arsenal in their first final since 2005 after a hattrick from Europa Conference League scorer Divin Mubama helped power the Hammers.

His first came within 10 minutes and Callum Marshall added another soon after before Mubama made it three just after half-time. West Ham are 12 points clear in the Under-18 Premier League South.

Dom Ballard pulled one back with a close-range finish after an exquisite run and ball from the impressive Jayden Meghoma but Gideon Kodua and Mubama ended the tie with further notches.

Substitute Favour Fawunmi scored the sixth with his first touches from the bench, as Saints entered just three minutes of added time.

It was the first time Saints had reached this stage of the competition since 2006 and goalkeeper Mohamed Adli was called on to make some top saves.

Ballard’s goal was his seventh in five FA Youth Cup games this campaign, after scoring on his first-team debut at Cambridge United in August.