Despite the league’s mid-season break, Bradford Sunday Alliance League clubs got the new year underway with action in the West Riding County FA Sunday Cup.

Buttershaw White Star clinched a comfortable 3-1 win in their all-Alliance tie against Thornton.

Both sides entered the game on the back of a spell of inactivity brought on by the recent cold snap but quickly got into their stride and played some entertaining football.

White Star broke the deadlock on 20 minutes through Chris Graham, and then doubled their lead when Graham Sides was brought down in the penalty area, allowing Mark Flanagan to score from the spot.

Five minutes before the break, Jamie Barstow hit the visitors’ third goal and, although Danny Walker pulled back a second-half consolation for Thornton, they were indebted to goalkeeper and skipper Ryan Blythe for an outstanding display.

Holders West Bowling progressed after beating Castleford Sunday League side Brotherton and Byron for the second successive season.

Bowling took the lead on 18 minutes when Chris Hanney headed home a Damian Melvyn cross and edged further ahead seven minutes later when Chris Wood was fouled in the penalty area and Nicky Boshell netted the resulting spot-kick.

Wood then scored himself on 38 minutes to give the defending champions a three-goal cushion at the interval, and five minutes after the restart they struck again when Hanney claimed his second goal of the game and the hosts’ fourth.

The visitors did pull a goal back on the restart but Boshell completed his brace to seal a commanding win that gives West Bowling the unenviable task of visiting Fforde Green from Leeds in the next round.

Cuedos Rangers also won their West Riding Cup tie by edging past Wharfedale team Burley United, with Chris Dunn scoring the only goal of the game when he headed home from six yards on the hour.

Cuedos now have an all-Alliance tie against Ventus Sports in the next round.