ASHLEY FLYNN’S hat trick helped promoted Lepton Highlanders hit the ground running in the West Riding County Amateur League First Division.

The frontman fired 37 goals last season, and was quickly off the mark this time around as Lepton, last season’s Division II champions, beat Bay Athletic Reserves 5-1.

JP Flynn and Anthony Haigh got the other goals against last season’s First Division runners-up, who had Karl Jones on target.

It wasn’t such a bright start for AFC Emley’s second string, last season’s third-placed side who went down 3-1 in their derby at Overthorpe. Stuart Richardson got their goal.

Bay’s first team have their sights set on a fifth successive Premier Division title, and began their campaign with a solid 2-0 derby win at Marsden.

Experienced Steve Smith, the former Town junior and Emley man, got both goals for the Canalside club, after 47 and 69 minutes.

Bay are back in action tonight, when they head to Bradford to take on old rivals Campion, who were 2-0 home winners over Brighouse Town.

Storthes Hall host Lower Hopton aiming to bounce back after a 2-1 home defeat by Golcar United.

Dean Wharam’s double did the trick for the Colne Valley side, whose close-season recruits include former Emley and Ayr United flyer Michael Reynolds. Tom Mathews scored for the Hall.

Golcar are at home to Hall Green United tomorrow, Marsden go to Tyersal and Kirkburton, who finished an encouraging fourth last season, play host to Wibsey eager to chalk up a second win after a 2-1 victory over Hall Green United.

Kieran Ryan, who netted 21 times last season, got both goals in this opening win.

Tyersal, Ovenden WR and Steeton, who had an impressive 4-0 victory at Wibsey, were the other opening-night top-flight winners.

In Division II, Huddersfield YMCA were 3-0 victors over Golcar United Reserves at Longfield Avenue.

l Bay’s defence of the West Riding FA Challenge Cup could begin with a second-round trip to Huddersfield rivals Golcar.

The Colne Valley side host Baildon Trinity Athletic in the first round on September 1, with the winners at home to Bay on November 5.

Other first-round ties involving Huddersfield sides are: Tadcaster Albion v Moldgreen, Rolls v Netherton, Berry Brow v Overthorpe, Harlow Hill v Uppermill, Newsome v Salts, Ossett Albion v Storthes Hall and Wyke Wanderers v Britannia Sports.