CLUBS in the Bradford Sunday Alliance League could be victims of their own success.

Thornton United have played just six matches in the Premier Division, with Bolton Woods and West Bowling managing a mere eight, while leaders Oakenshaw are among four clubs who are only halfway through their Division One programme.

Only one match was played at the weekend – Sporting Pudsey defeated Beldon Sports 2-1 in Division 1B – and the Alliance have now lost 144 league matches to the weather since the last full programme of fixtures took place on December 7.

Factor in the West Riding County FA Sunday Cup, which involves Oakenshaw and West Bowling, the West Riding County FA Sunday Trophy, involving Division 3B leaders Steel Bangle Spartans, and the Bradford & District FA Sunday Senior Cup, which features Thornton United and West Bowling, and it can bee seen how the problems are mounting.

Bradford & District Sunday Cup quarter-finalists Mill Lane 2004, of Division 2A, are another club who could be stretched as they have only played nine of their 22 league matches.

West Bowling play Leeds side Belle Isle at Emsley's Recreation Ground in the last eight of the West Riding County FA Sunday Cup, while Oakenshaw have the unenviable task of facing holders HT Sports, also at home.

Steel Bangle Spartans host Wellington Westgate in the County Trophy quarter-finals, with the semi-finals of the cup and trophy and district cups being played on midweek evenings.

Meanwhile, Alliance cup semi-finals (the Amateur, Intermediate and Senior Cup semi-finals are played on back-to-back Sundays at Rawdon Meadows) and finals are played on Sundays, with the only change being that the finals have afternoon kick-offs.

Mirroring this, the Bradford & District FA Junior Cup semi-finals are also played on the same Sunday morning at Rawdon Meadows, thus boosting attendances.

Fixture clashes could be an issue at senior level but fortunately Bradford Sunday Alliance League fixture secretary Brian Goodall and Bradford & District FA secretary Carol Dent have a good working relationship and minimise any problems.

County Cup semi-finals and finals are played at county HQ at Fleet Lane, Woodlesford, apart from the County FA Cup final for semi-professional teams, which tends to be at either Valley Parade or Elland Road.