Chris Graham completed a hat-trick with two late goals that edged Buttershaw White Star into the last 16 of the WEST RIDING COUNTY SUNDAY CUP.

The Bradford Sunday Alliance League high-fliers were heading out of the competition when they trailed Leeds Combination Premier Division champions Fforde Green 2-1 with just five minutes to go.

But Graham equalised with a superb shot from 30 yards and then volleyed an equally impressive 25-yard winner in the last minute.

Dave Gordon had edged the Leeds visitors ahead after 30 minutes but this acted as a wake-up call to the defending Bradford & District Sunday Cup champions.

White Star began to come more into the match and were rewarded with a headed goal from Graham to send the teams in level at the break.

Slowly the hosts began to take charge and it was against the run of play when Fforde Green moved back in front after 70 minutes through Dominic Blair, who had starred for Harrogate Railway against Mansfield on live Match of the Day.

But this was the cue for Buttershaw to pound the visitors' goal and Graham provided the lethal finishing touch.

Another tie to escape the weather saw Bradford Park Avenue Rangers get the better of Huddersfield team Heywood Irish Centre 2-0 with two second-half goals.

There were no Premier Division fixtures played due to the rain and cup ties but Relay Recruitment were able to get some action in DIVISION ONE and were no doubt glad they did.

Relay narrowed the gap at the top to just a point with a 3-1 victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Eastward thanks to a hat-trick by goal-machine Robert McDonald.

In the same section, Steve Baldwin scored twice for Wrose Bull as they crushed Wibsey WMC 6-0. Dave Aldridge, Anthony Burke, William McCarthy and an own goal completed the tally.

Junction Thornbury and Saltaire Rangers shared four goals in DIVISION 1B. Chris Robinson's first-ever goal and one for Glyn Beale earned Junction a point from the 2-2 outcome.

It was the same score in DIVISION 2B as St Georges and Beldon Sports finished level. Nick Walker netted both St Georges goals as Martin Lee and Andrew Bolton replied.

Luke Wilcock scored twice as DIVISION 3A leaders Mill Lane B won 7-3 at Victoria Eagles.

The only DIVISION 3B fixture played finished 3-3 as Steven Broadbent, Steven Lee and Danny Khan scored for Shoulder of Mutton at home to fellow high-fliers New Tyke Rangers.

Mailcoach remain five points clear at the top of DIVISION FOUR after a 6-2 success at White Horse, while second-placed Aire Valley hammered Bradford Hotel 7-0 as Leigh Edmonson and Michael Sharp both scored twice.

Bradford Phoenix's recent good form came to an end as they lost 7-5 to Rancell United, for whom Paul Quinlan bagged a hat-trick and Ben Barraclough added a brace.

Mill Lane gave up home advantage in the COUNTY SUNDAY TROPHY due to a poor pitch but it had no effect on their rourth-round performance.

They cruised past previously unbeaten Leeds side ALC Celtic 5-2 and are now unbeaten in 16 games in all competitions and have scored 101 goals.

Mark Constadine and Steve Hollingworth both netted twice for the Division 2B title favourites, with Curtis Mohan also on target.

In the INTERMEDIATE CUP, Wrose must now face in-form Mill Lane in round four after seeing off Queensbury B 6-5. James Brown and Michael Henderson netted two apiece for the winners.

Division 3B leaders 5-Alive made it through to the fifth round of the AMATEUR CUP after edging out Division Four opponents Unity 5-4.

  • Start or join a debate on this issue in our on-line forum - Click here