CHAMPIONS Newsome WMC did the District League proud in last night’s FA Challenge Cup.

But Bay Athletic, of the West Riding League, had too much class and guile and deserved their 3-1 victory in what proved to be an entertaining game at the Galpharm Stadium.

The victory means Bay can still enjoy a double as they are very much in contention for the West Riding title.

The silverware they earned last night came courtesy of goals from Steve Perrin, Nick Jagger and Paul Pike.

But they had to come from behind as Newsome had taken a first-half lead through Anthony Haigh.

Bay played the more controlled football, slowing down the pace with some slick, short passing, while Newsome looked more for the long ball through the channels.

It was a very quiet opening 20 minutes with neither side able to stamp any authority on the match.

Bay looked the brighter with Newsome goalkeeper Mark Kirrane making good saves from Pike, Brighton Mugadze and, particularly, full-back Tom Brown with a rasping drive.

But Newsome hit back and on 25 minutes had the best move of the match so far, which ended with a fine shot from Mark Kelly, saved by Graham McLachlan.

Bay’s response was a good move involving Danny Facey, who was a constant threat on the right hand flank, and he was brought down in the box. Mugadze took the penalty but his shot was superbly saved by Kirrane.

The breakthrough came on 37 minutes, when a fine through ball by Newsome midfielder Lee Maturine was finished in style by Anthony Haigh, who controlled the ball superbly before clipping it home.

The lead, however, lasted less than a minute. Bay midfielder Steve Smith threaded a perfect ball into the box and Steve Perrin finished well.

Both side made substitutions at the break and Bay’s new boy Paul Quinn almost scored with his first touch on 46 minutes.

The West Riding side continued to look the sharper outfit and made it 2-1 10 minutes later when a free-kick on the right by Perrin was stroked home at the far post by Nick Jagger.

Bay continued to probe and a series of free-kicks and corners from Perrin put Newsome under pressure.

The District League side weathered the storm and went close themselves with efforts by Haigh and Doran Joran.

But Bay made sure of the victory 10 minutes from time. Newsome looked slow to react as Bay broke again with fluid, controlled passing and Pike found space on the right to squeeze the ball home.

It was just reward for some hard work throughout the 90 minutes by the livewire striker, who tormented the Newsome defence time after time with deft touches and lightning pace.

And it proved to be the killer blow, although there was still time for a late flurry from Newsome, with efforts by Haigh and by the ever-willing Jordan.

Bay Athletic: McLachlan, Brown, Higgins (80 McLoughlan), Ollerenshaw (46 Quinn), Jagger, Smith, Pike, Facey, Adams, Mugadze (72 McGillvary), Perrin. Subs not used: McMahon, Norcliffe.

Newsome WMC: Kirrane, Bower, Kelly (46 Brown), Marshall, Rudd, Joseph, Beckley (60 Liburd), Maturine (65 Robshaw), Haigh, Jordan, Bradshaw. Subs not used: Slattery, Brookes.

Referee: Carl Leadbeater, assistants Alan Phillips, Andy Moore, Chris Lockwood.