EVENING fixtures start this week as the league works to reduce the huge backlog of matches, after one of the wettest seasons of recent years.

"After playing a full programme of matches at the weekend the chances of completing the league in reasonable time look a little rosier," said secretary, Peter Marsden.

Cross Hills increased their lead in the Premier Division with a 4-3 win over Skipton LMS. Hills took an early lead but LMS soon began to play good football and rocked the home side with two quick goals. As the half time whistle loomed Cross Hills secured an equaliser.

After the break they took the lead and looked to be firmly in command until a great shot put LMS level again. Superior fitness told in the end and Cross Hills snatched a winner in the closing minutes of a thrilling game.

Oxenhope Recreation entertained Rimington with the Worth Valley side winning 2-1 in another close encounter. It was a tough game against a fast improving Rimington team, and the referee also received praise for a top performance.

David Collier put Oxenhope ahead but Rimington also had their chances and play flowed from end to end with defences on top. Just after the break Duncan Bairstow put Oxenhope 2-0 up which eased the pressure a little, but the Ribble Valley club battled on and grabbed a goal which gave the Oxenhope side a nervous final few minutes, but they held out for victory.

Keighley entertained bottom of the table side, Gargrave, and both teams missed chances in a goalless first half. On the re-start Keighley took command and soon opened the scoring through Joynal Ali. A Sean Wilinson free kick was helped home by Paul Storton, and Steven Cooke came on from the bench to add a third. Gargrave showed little in attack and never troubled the home defence in the second half.

Oxenhope Recreation recorded their second victory of the season, beating Hellifield in Division One. Fielding a new-look side they took the game to the home team, capturing an early lead through Garry Fawcett. Despite pressure from Hellifield they held onto the lead until the Dales side snatched a second half equaliser.

Oxenhope pushed forward looking for both points and Duncan Tetley finally managed to grab the all-important second goal. With seven matches to go it may not be too late to avoid relegation.

Cowling visited Skipton town with a below strength side and paid the penalty. After a bright start in which Cowling tested the home keeper the South Craven side faded and in a mad five minutes let in two goals which flattered the home side. Cowling battled on but the odds were against them and in the second half they gifted Town three soft goals. While Cowling's attack showed promise, even goal-a-week man Robert Walker could not oblige as they went down 5-0.

Sutton visited Grindleton with an under-strength side and were really made to struggle. Grindleton, who are riding high in the league, produced some classy football which was backed up by strong, but fair, no-nonsense tackling. Grindleton never allowed Sutton to settle into their game and rattled in seven goals before Gareth Brown scored a late consolation goal in a match which the South Craven team will want to forget.

Division Two leaders Bronte Wanderers entertained Barrowford United - the team they meet in this week's Cup semi-final - and the home side dominated the match from start to finish with a display that rocked the visitors. The first half saw Bronte on top but they could only manage two goals, both from Nail Walls. However, the second half started with a brilliant solo goal from Alan Smith followed by a Nail Walls penalty to complete his hat-trick.

Barrowford were outclassed and their cause was not helped when they had a player sent off before conceding another penalty which was converted by Neil Rollins. Substitute Martin Maude came off the bench and scored Bronte's goal of the season with a 25-yard 'rocket' shot. It was an easy win for Bronte, but the semi-final is unlikely to be quite so comfortable.

A first half hat-trick by Stewart Kinnear gave Keighley Reserves the edge on their travels to Cowling. The home side scored the first goal of a frantic first half, but they were 3-1 down at the break. Cowling piled on the pressure in the last 20 minutes of the game and Andrew Shaw scored their second, but they could not snatch an equaliser.

Silsden Reserves started their home match against Grindleton Reserves with only 10 men and allowed the visitors to take an early lead. Pressure from Silsden brought an equaliser from an own goal, but two quick goals on the stroke of half time gave Grindleton a surprise 3-1 lead.

Silsden's missing player arrived in time for the second half and they hit back with a Gareth Higgs goal, but the equaliser would not come and a late fourth for Grindleton ended all Silsden's hopes.

Defences were on top when Silsden Athletic visited Skipton LMS Reservves. In the first half only a snap shot from LMS came close to breaking the deadlock, but that hit the bar. The second period was little better although the Skipton side managed to get the ball into the back of the net. Silsden missed with two long range shots and two simple chances.

It was a different story across the road where Skipton Bulldogs Reserves and Lothersdale Athletic shared eight goals. A slow start on a heavy pitch was brightened by a solo run from Mark Watson who scored the opener. A second goal from Andrew Kelinski looked to have put Dale on top. Bulldogs pulled a goal back at the start of the second half but John Baker quickly restored Dale's advantage. An own goal put Dogs back in the match, Andrew Cole scored Lothersdale's fourth and the points looked theirs until an injury time equaliser gave Dale a share of the points.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.