PHOENIX increased their lead at the top of the Premier Division with a 4-1 win at Ovenden.

The Keighley side attacked from the start and had several chances to score, with Jason Carpenter coming closest but his header was just wide. They soon took the lead with Martin Ross picking up a loose ball and his long pass put Danny Spencer into space for the opening goal.

Ovenden hit back, winning three corners in succession, but the Phoenix defence held firm. Ross snatched the second with a superb run from the half way line before slipping the ball past the advancing keeper.

Dale Hoyle nearly made it 3-0 but the keeper managed to tip the ball round the post. Hoyle eventually got on the score sheet after impressive work from Graham Bairstow and Gilmartin.

Holye put himself in line for the team's 'Golden Boot' award, for the miss of the season, when he shot over the bar from five yards out.

The second half began with Ovenden putting constant pressure on Phoenix, and it wasn't until Ben Furness ran down the left and beat three men, setting Hoyle and Gilmartin up for a neat one-two, with Hoyle collecting the goal.

Ovenden scored a consolation effort when Bairstow gave away a penalty for Matt Callan to score.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Phoenix are away at Storthes Hall (ko 2.30).

Silsden kept up their promotion charge at the top of Division Two with a 3-1 victory over Hunsworth. Steve Gray, was on target together with brothers Martin and Matthew Bland.

Keighley Shamrocks are still clear in second place, despite dropping a point in their 3-3 draw with Dynamoes. Paul Driver scored a hat-trick for Shammies while Sewell, Graham and Brannon were on target for Dynamoes.

Phoenix Reserves got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Ovenden. The Keighley side rode their luck in a close first half until Liam Daley looped the ball into the Ovenden net from Stuart Hudson's long throw.

They held the lead until 10 minutes into the second half when Ovenden equalised. Daley continued his rich vein of scoring when he netted a late winner. The keeper couldn't hold Stuart Hudson's drive and Daley followed up to blast the ball into the roof of the net and give Phoenix their first away win of the season.

They hope to build on the win when they visit Dynamoes tomorrow (Saturday).

Steeton went down to a second half goal from Ian Devine at Kinsley Boys. The Summerhill Lane club is deep in the Division Two relegation zone and needs a big improvement in performances to stay up.

Steeton Reserves also struggled, going down 2-0 to Baildon Trinity in Division Four.

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