Blackpool's Dominic Ballard (left) celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game during the Sky Bet League One match at the Cledara Abbey Stadium, Cambridge. Picture date: Saturday August 24, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Cambridge. Photo (Image: George Tewkesbury)
Blackpool's Dominic Ballard (left) celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game during the Sky Bet League One match at the Cledara Abbey Stadium, Cambridge. Picture date: Saturday August 24, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Cambridge. Photo (Image: George Tewkesbury)
Former Reading forwards Dominic Ballard and Princewell Ehibhatiomhan suffered cup final disappointment as Manchester City beat Southampton in the PL2 Final.
19-year-old Ehibhatiomham, younger brother of Royals forward Kelvin, moved to St Mary's in 2022 before making a first-team debut and has impressed for the youth teams on the coast.
Scoring two goals in four play-off matches, the Saints lost 2-0 to hosts Manchester City at the Joie Stadium on Thursday.
Ballard, 20, spent some of last season on loan with Reading and scored five goals in 12 appearances before injury ended his campaign in November.
Blackpool and Cambridge United signed the striker this season, scoring three goals in 39 appearances for the two League One sides as the U's were relegated.
Returning to Southampton for the play-offs, the England youth international netted four goals in three matches and fired his side to the final.
Last season, Reading reached the semi-final but suffered a late 4-3 defeat to Graeme Murty's Sunderland. Tottenham Hotspur beat the Black Cats in the final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
This season, Academy upheaval with Noel Hunt and Mikele Leigertwood taking first-team roles and the Under-21s finished 20th out of 26 teams.