Oxenhope booked their place in the Premier Division league cup final with a thrilling penalty shoot-out victory over Cross Hills.

Paul Sewell scored the opener for Oxenhope but Hills piled on the pressure and forced an own goal. As expected Oxenhope mastered the conditions quicker and Sewell scored his second to regain the lead.

Cross Hills were playing up the slope and Robert Kaminski equalised a second time, they shook the home outfit when Robert Smith gave Hills the lead. Oxenhope fought back to make it 3-3 with just five minutes to go, taking the game into extra time.

The first period was goalless but Steve Murray put Oxenhope ahead yet again only to see a battling Cross Hill put back on level terms by Adam smith.

The tie went to penalties and it was the home side who went through, converting five to four from Cross Hills. Oxenhope now meet Clitheroe United in the final at Skipton Town on Monday (6.30ko).

Only two days earlier the South Craven side had enjoyed the upper hand in the quarter-final of the Northern Plant Hire Challenge Trophy. Oxenhope are the current holders of the trophy and Patrick Higgins gave Hills and early shock, they could have scored more but Cross Hills managed to scramble and equaliser through Jeff Holden.

A half time pep talk saw Cross Hills play much better in the second half, taking the match by the scruff of the neck. Matthew Lloyd put them ahead with a blistering shot and he followed up with a superb free kick which was converted by Andrew Holland.

Hills refused to let Oxenhope settle and their grip on the cup was lost when Andrew Holland scored his second to give Hills a 4-1 victory and a home tie against Clitheroe in the semi-final.

Bronte Wanderers kept their hopes of a league and cup double alive with a superb victory over Barnoldswick United.

Bronte had to defend for much of the first half as Barnoldswick took advantage of a gale force wind, but a superb defensive display kept the score sheet blank at half time. After the break Bronte began to create chances but wasted them before David Collier put Bronte ahead.

They held on to the one-goal lead until late in the match when Ian Made made the tie safe with his first touch after coming on as substitute. Bronte now play Carleton in the final on Wednesday but could be struggling to field a full side as a number of players go on holiday on the day of the final.

The Division Two semi-finals set up a cracking final between Lothersdale Athletic and Skipton LMS which was due to be played last night (Thursday) at Cowling.

Dale reached the final after beating Horton with a good move between John Lawrence and Mark Westfall resulted in Lawrence splitting the Horton defence for the opening goal. The same due soon made it two with Westfall providing the finishing touch this time. A lob over the keeper just before half time secured a comfortable 3-0 lead.

Horton came out of the blocks with determination after the break and they pulled a goal back. Lothersdale were under the cosh as Horton added a second. Substitutions stopped the rot as Dale held out for a 3-2 victory.

Oxenhope Reserves travelled to Skipton LMS Reserves and found a much stronger side than when they last met, but it was still the Worth Valley side which set the early pace. Two excellent chances which could have changed the game were missed and LMS punished the blunders by scoring twice before the break.

The second half saw LMS grow in confidence while Oxenhope's youthful side could not get to grips with some strong tackling and LMS added a further two goals to reach the final.

Keighley Lifts entertained prospective champions Skipton Bulldogs in the league, and rattled them by taking an early lead only to see the visitors settle down and play the type of football they have shown they are capable of. Bulldogs drew level and went on to collect the points with two more goals.

Bronte Wanderers reserves are still chasing runners-up spot in Division Two, but were a goal down within the first minute when they visited Ilkley who have already been crowned champions. The Ilkley Youth side scored a second before the break but Bronte hit back with a penalty and a speculative lob to level the scores.

The winner came after the Bronte attacker got the better of a one-on-one with the Ilkley keeper. Bronte scorers were James Ley, Dan Wycherley and Ahztar Ali.

Silsden Athletic and Cowling Reserves completed their league programmes with cowling securing a 2-1 win. Jamie Cunningham gave Silsden the lead before James Anson equalised and Alistair brought Cowling's season to a close with a win.

With three clubs leaving the Premier division the league is looking for clubs interested in joining. Any interested clubs should apply to the secretary: Peter Marsden, 25 Cumberland Street, Skipton, N Yorks.