SOME teams got their first tasted of soccer action of the year when only one match was postponed last weekend.

Oxenhope pulled off a 6-3 victory over Grindleton with blistering performance. They were quick out of the blocks and soon opened the scoring, adding two more while Grindleton were rarely out of their own half.

The Worth Valley side were 5-0 up before Grindleton pulled one back just on half time. The second period saw a more determined approach from Grindleton and they scored two quick goals to give themselves a glimmer of hope.

Oxenhope engaged top gear, added a sixth, and kept things tight at the back to put paid to any thoughts of an upset.

Keighley Lifts were at home to Cononley Sports, who recently upset the Skipton LMS cavalry charge. Lifts knew they had to be on top form if they were to remain on track for a shot at the title. A heavy pitch made passing hard work but both teams battled to put moves together. There were chances at both ends before Lifts opened the scoring with a goal from Daniel Moriarty.

They kept up the pressure and got a second through Steve Cook but Cononley showed plenty of spirit and James Calvert put them back in the game with a goal before the break. Steve cook restored Lifts' advantage on the stroke of half time.

Early in the second half Cononley dragged it back to 3-2 thanks to a second Calvert goal . Both sides attacked as play swung from end to end until Darren Harwood finally gave Lifts some breathing space.

Bronte Wanderers are in danger of dropping into the relegation zone and were looking for maximum points when they entertained Embsay. Both sides started well, but chances were few in a goalless opening period.

Embsay attacked strongly at the start of the second half and were rewarded with a goal. Bronte tried everything they knew but could not find a way past the Embsay defence and in the closing minutes Embsay scored a second to make certain of the points.

Division One leaders Lothersdale Athletic had three regular players missing through injury, but still turned in a good performance against Colne Shepherds. Dale attacked strongly from the start but found Colne's defence equal to the task until a defence--splitting pass from Andrew Keslinke found Liam Jeffrey who scored the opener.

Colne were never out of the game and Dale's defence had to be on their toes, but Curtis hall gave them a 2-0 lead at the break. He added a second just after the re-start as Dale took command scoring further goals through Craig Jones and mark Watson to put their title chase back on track.

Oxenhope Recreation Reserves struggled to raise a team when they visited a lively young Hellifield side and were soon a goal down. Oxenhope wasted chances as the home side slotted two further goals before the interval. In the Second half Oxenhope began to get their game together and Danny Wood scored but a fourth Hellifield goal destroyed any hope of a revival.

Cross Hills Reserves faced championship chasers Chatburn in Division Two and a close match ended with the visitors taking the points. Chatburn started well and were soon a goal up, but Hills swept back with a goal from Dane Middleton. A defensive mistake let Chatburn back to take a 2-1 half time lead.

Chatburn swept into a 4-1 lead before Darrell McDonald scored from the penalty spot to put Hills back into the game. Substitute Mark Birch made it 4-3 but the Ribble Valley side scored a fifth. McDonald scored again to pull Cross Hills back to within one goal, but time ran out before they could score an equaliser.

After a poor start to the season Cowling Reserves are fighting hard to pull away from the bottom of the table. They were a goal down to Skipton Town Reserves before Luke Alwood equalised. Ben Brown gave Cowling the lead, but the Skipton side looked to be fighting back until a great solo goal Brown added a solo effort to secure the points.