ANOTHER dry day saw more matches out of the way and with the onset of evening fixtures this week, inroads will begin to be made on the Craven Football League backlog.

Skipton Bulldogs FC reached their third semi-final of the season with a 3-0 victory over Grassington United in the quarter finals of the Northern Plant Hire Trophy.

In the Silentnight Premier Division leaders Crosshills FC had a narrow 4--3 home victory over Skipton LMS.

In a close match, second placed Embsay FC dropped a valuable home point in a 1-1 draw with relegation threatened Cononley Sports Res. Oxenhope Recreation kept in the title race thanks to a 2-1 victory over Rimington, whilst Keighley FC scored three goals without reply against Gargrave to stay in contention should the others slip up.

Grindleton went a point clear at the top of Division One when they trounced Sutton FC 7-1. The match between former leaders Addingham and third placed Clitheroe United went comfortably Clitheroe's way with a 6-2 victory to the home side. Clitheroe now hold the key having a match in hand and home advantage over Grindleton when they meet next week.

St Paul's returned to winning ways with a 3-2 victory at Carleton, whilst Skipton Town had a comfortable 5-0 home win over Cowling FC.

Bottom of the table Oxenhope Recreation Res collected their second victory of the season winning at Hellifield Sports 2-1.

Bronte Wanderers have a 10 point lead in Division Two and easily defeated this week's semi-final opponents, Barrowford United, 6-0.

Barnoldswick United moved into second place with a 3-1 victory at Horton, whilst Lothersdale Athletic drew 4-4 at Skipton Bulldogs after leading 3-1 at one stage. Cowling Res too were leading against Keighley Res but relaxed and allowed Keighley to pull back to win 3-2, plunging Cowling nearer relegation.

Only one goal separated the teams when Skipton LMS Res entertained Silsden Athletic, LMS getting the only goal of the match. Silsden FC lost ground in the promotion race, losing at home to Grindleton Res.

Ilkley Juniors Youth head Division Three by four points following their 2-1 victory over third placed Earby FC. Addingham Res lost ground losing to Bradley Res 6-3 and Waddington likewise went down to fast improving Intake Res by 2-1.

This Saturday hopefully will see two Cup finalists known, in the Premier Cup Oxenhope entertain Crosshills and Skipton Bulldogs travel to Embsay, both looking like close matches.

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