Crossflatts Village 4 Salts Sunday FC 1

Crossflatts started life in the Bradford Sunday Alliance Championship with a comfortable win over their former Wharfedale Triangle League rivals.

The home side have made lots of changes behind the scenes in the summer, but it was last year’s players’ player of the year Matthew Bentham who was awarded the man-of-the-match after another trademark all-action goal-scoring display.

Bentham was awarded the captain’s armband in the summer by player-manager Kevin Gill and he rewarded him in the opening minutes when his 25-yard strike gave the keeper no chance.

Flatts doubled their lead minutes later when Bentham’s midfield partner and free-kick specialist Ollie Metcalfe also struck home from a similar distance.

Flatts then squandered a whole host of chances before the break and continued in the same vein during the second half until that man Bentham made it 3-0 – this time from 20 yards out, much to the delight of the home faithful.

Salts' new number nine pulled one back but Flatts talisman Michael Garnett completed the scoring before the final whistle.

“It’s a great honour to be captain of this side and it’s great to seal my first game as captain with two goals and a man-of-the-match display,” said Bentham.

Gill echoed his new captain’s sentiments, saying: “On another day we would have won 12-1 but we are happy with the three points.

"'Benny' was on fire and he’s picked up where he left off last season. I am happy with the new signings that we have made and I am happy with the squad overall.

"I have brought the experienced Les Cooper in to help me manage the side and he will add another dimension to our play. It means I can concentrate a bit more on playing.

"Les is the kind of bloke that when he talks, everybody listens. I am looking forward to working with him closely this season.”

Flatts will travel to Hand and Shuttle FC on Sunday hoping to make it two wins out of two.