AS if Craven & District Football League officials are not having enough problems finding referees. This week their campaign to attract new officials received another setback when the match between Barrowford and Carleton was abandoned after a spectator assaulted the referee.

Police were called to the incident at Bullholme Playing Fields and the situation has been reported to the Craven League and the West Riding FA.

"I was contacted by the referee by telephone on Saturday, who simply reported that he had been assaulted and had called the match off," says Peter Marsden, Craven League secretary: "We are now awaiting a written report from the referee and cannot make any comment or any decision until we have the full facts before us."

The fact that the police were called could lead to more serious repercussions, but at a time when the league is struggling to find enough officials to staff its matches each week, an incident of this sort is just what Mr Marsden and his colleagues did not want.

Elsewhere, the first round of the Northern Plant Hire Cup provided some spectacular scoring, with four teams scoring eight goals and Skipton Bulldogs capping it all with a 9-1 win. Most remarkable victory, however, was Horton's penalty shoot-out success at Bradley after teams were level at 8-8 after extra-time.

Horton's reward is a Round Two trip to Premiership table-topping Skipton LMS, who were one of the prolific scorers when they beat Lothersdale 8-2. Bulldogs were doubtless happy to be first out of the hat when they were paired with Oxenhope Recreation in the second round. The Bronte side were one of the eight-goal winners, getting the better of visitors Earby by an 8-1 margin.

Holders Cross Hills were on league duty after getting a bye in the Cup, but they will not have far to travel when they start the defence of their trophy. They visit neighbours Sutton.

Skipton Town were another team needing penalties to progress after they were level at 4-4 against Keighley Lifts after extra-time and they now face a visit to the winners of the postponed Embsay v Colne Shepherds tie.

The draw for Round Two, scheduled to be played on October 27, is:

Skipton LMS v Horton, Embsay/Colne Shepherds v Skipton Town, Waddington v Barrowford Un/Carleton, Skipton Bulldogs v Oxenhope Rec, Intake v Bronte Wanderers, Cowling v McBrides, Sutton v Cross Hills, Grindleton v Gargrave.