ST BEDE'S almost made it an unhappy long journey home for Middlesbrough-based St Mary's College in the Yorkshire Old Boys' Shield.

The Bradford side were the underdogs but played a full part in a classic cup tie, Liam Darke and Andrew Scullion putting the hosts 2-0 ahead in the first 15 minutes before St Mary's levelled.

A Jason Davis cracker was also nullified as Saints made it 3-3 and another Bede's error made the score 4-4 after an equally fine shot by Jamal Nash had put them ahead for the third time.

However, having shared eight goals in the first half, Yorkshire Amateur League side Bede's could not lift their performance in the second half and St Mary's went on to win 6-4.

Similarly, Grangefield Old Boys were level with Ealandians at half-time in another tie but lost the all-Yorkshire Amateur League Premier Division encounter 3-1.

James Greenwood thundered second-placed Ealandians into the lead but Andy Kenyon equalised for the third-placed visitors, only for second-half goals from Jacob Driver and Dene Heppenstall to take Ealandians into the second round.

Calverley United went down 3-1 at home to Beeston St Anthony's in the first round of the Marflitt Trophy but Grangefield Old Boys Reserves made a convincing start to their defence of the Hancock Cup with an 8-1 home victory over Churwell Lions Reserves.

Glenn Metcalfe (2), Sam Russell (2), Doug Gaylor, Steven Hargreaves (penalty), Chris Cairns and an own goal were on target for the Old Boys, who meet Almondburians in the second round.

Farsley Celtic Juniors Reserves have a derby in the second round after Farnley Sports Reserves defeated Wigton Moor Reserves 6-3 with goals fromGeordie Rossendale (3), James Bell, Garatt Cadden and Kyle O'Reilly.

Celtic Juniors' first team were in league action and also scored six, defeating visitors Wigton Moor 6-1 in the Yorkshire Amateur Premier Division.

The hosts were outstanding in the opening half-hour, and were 4-0 up at half-time after strikes from Ben Cook (2), Luke Gordon and Paul Dockerty. Craig Ferrand and Alex Gyte added second-half goals as Celtic Juniors, who have the best goal difference in the top flight, climbed to third.

A half-time rollicking put Gildersome Spurs on the right path to victory at home to Sandal Wanderers after they trailed the visitors 3-0 at the interval of their Division One clash.

James Hardcastle (3), James Wilby (2) and Conor Firth netted in what was only Spurs' second win of the season, but it did lift them to mid-table.

St Bede's Reserves were much improved at Division Two leaders Wheelwright Old Boys, only losing 3-0, while Heckmondwike Grammar School Old Boys are up to third in Division Three after a 4-2 home victory against Old Modernians Reserves.

Goals for Modernians came from Joel Beaumont and Hugo Sach but Patrick Davis, Daniel Laidlaw, recent signing Elliott Williams and Darren Harwood notched the goals for promotion-chasing Heckmondwike.

Farsley Celtic Reserves bounced back after two below-par displays to win 4-1 at Norristhorpe, Ben Gekonge netting for the second strings in the first minute.

The capable hosts equalised before half-time but then conceded three goals in ten minutes in the second half via Joshua Sanz-Carvell (2) and Louis Surtees as the reserves climbed to fifth.

Bradford-based Bainbridge again failed to take their chances in a 2-1 defeat at Old Centralians and also proved vulnerable to long throws to the far post, both the hosts' goals coming from that tactic. Tufail Ahmed got the Bainbridge equaliser.

St Bede's Thirds are fifth in Division Six after a 5-0 victory at Rodillians Thirds, the prolific Anthony Garner (3) and Mark Haywood (2) netting.