Wayne Shooter scored a hat-trick and captain Kitson Gayle two as Bay Athletic completed a sweet double by winning the Huddersfield FA Challenge Cup.
Three days after clinching the West Riding County Amateur League title with a 7-1 demolition of Ovenden WR, Marcus Mitchell’s side defeated Shelley 6-0 in the local final replay.
The final scoreline was harsh on Ash Berry’s beaten West Yorkshire League side, who were unable to take advantage of playing at their own impressive Storthes Hall Park ground.
But there was no denying the dominance of Bay, once they had taken the sting out of Shelley, who started the game well.
Their performance was even more impressive given their energy-sapping recent schedule, with Saturday’s showdown their sixth game since the original final.
That match at the John Smith’s Stadium three weeks ago ended 1-1, with Bay’s Graham McLachlan admitting they were below par as Shelley forced a deserved late equaliser.
But the long-serving keeper set the tone for his team in the replay, producing a bright performance and repelling Shelley with his head and feet as well as hands.
Danny Naidole, named man of the match, was another to catch the eye, while Brighton Mugadza was a danger throughout.
Shelley’s Dan Morgan was just too high with a lob while skipper Phil Livsey’s well-struck free-kick was parried by McLachlan as Bay were put under early pressure.
However slowly but surely, skipper Gayle and his side took a firm grip, with Nathan James twice coming close before Shooter slid home Naidole’s cross from the left after 39 minutes.
It took brave goalkeeping by Paul Day to deny Bay a second a minute later, but they did make it two before the break as Gayle headed home from close range.
Spirited substitute Danny Simpson did his best to get Shelley back into the contest, but James’ cool finish, after he sprung Shelley’s offside trap after 55 minutes, proved a key moment.
James had a volley saved by Day, while Gayle’s follow-up attempt was blocked, but Gayle bagged his second after showing neat footwork on the hour.
Shelley refused to throw in the towel, but Bay were creating the better chances, and Naidole almost capped a good night’s work with a goal, but shot over from Mugadza’s cross.
While Naidole couldn’t find the target, Shooter did, with his ruthless late double underlining Bay’s control of the clash.
Bay’s second team have also had trophy success this season, winning the West Riding County Amateur League Second Division Cup.
