BAY ATHLETIC proved too strong for Wakefield-based Hall Green United with a 3-0 victory in the first round of the West Riding County Amateur League Premier Division Cup.

Bay boss Richard Spychalski used the cup-tie to give young players Lee Bradshaw and Eddie Szostak first team experience.

But blustery conditions and a small pitch dictated a lot of the play against a very direct and physical Hall Green side.

The hosts created the first notable chance when a free-kick was driven across the face of the goal and one of the strikers sliced the chance which struck the outside of the near post.

Bay responded well and produced a good 10-minute spell of neat football which ended in Kitson Gayle slotting home, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Szostak was forced off with an injury and was replaced by Adam Bell just before the break.

Midway through the second half Steve Perrin broke the deadlock when a free-kick was whipped into the box, Bell rose with the keeper and the ball fell to Perrin who was back peddling towards the edge of the box and somehow managed to volley the ball back into the goal.

Bay then started to play the better football with debutant Charlie Bradshaw and Paul Pyke causing Hall Green problems.

Bell made it 2-0 soon after when he nicked the ball off a defender and ran through on goal before coolly slotting the second with a cheeky dink over the keeper.

With five minutes remaining Pyke wrapped up the tie when he seized on a back pass before prodding home the third.

Colne Valley teams Marsden and Golcar United missed out on the chance to join Bay in the next round when they were beaten by Campion and Ovenden WR.

Marsden were beaten 6-2 by Bradford-based Campion, despite goals from Jason Rayner and Dean Siddiq, while Golcar lost 4-1 after extra time at Ovenden.

But Marsden’s second string beat Bronte Wanderers 4-0 with goals from Darren Smith (2), Jonathan Lendon and Jacky Walker.

Richard Walsh was on target for Golcar who drew 1-1 after 90 minutes, but goals by Mick Palethorpe (2), Steve Fullard and Paul Hand earned Ovenden the victory.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, a hat trick by Tom Mathews plus a Jonathan Newiss goal earned Meltham a great 4-0 home win against Hemsworth.