LEAGUE officials are struggling to attract more referees to join the league, but the shortage of officials has been getting worse almost by the week.

Last weekend a number of clubs were playing in District Cup competitions, but the planned league programme was completed despite heavy pitches and the referee shortage.

Two outstanding matches were played in the Northern Plant Hire Challenge Trophy and both saw First Division teams at home to Premier opposition. Cowling entertained high flying Embsay and in the opening stages matched their opponents, only to fall behind to a disputed goal. The home keeper was injured in the incident and had to be replaced.

Cowling soaked up more pressure and began to push Embsay back with James Ayrton bringing the scores level with a delicate lob over the keeper. Embsay regained the lead on half time from a well struck free kick and continued to pile on the pressure with two early second half goals. Cowling struggled to get back into the game with Ayrton slotting home Steven Spellman's cross, but they could not find the extra goal which would give them a share of the points.

Oxenhope Recreation visited Carleton and found the young side too fast for them. Carleton scored two well taken goals and although Oxenhope created chances they could not convert them into goals. In the second half Oxenhope applied the pressure and eventually Carleton's youngsters wilted under the strong tackles with two players being carried off.

Paul Sewell opened Oxenhope's account and Darren Whittaker got the equaliser on full time Darren Whittaker levelled. Carleton regained their lead from the penalty spot only for the Worth Valley side to snatch in equaliser on full time. Extra time proved too much for Carleton with Simon Duffin putting Oxenhope ahead and Christopher Ellis making sure of victory from the penalty spot.

In the Division Two League Cup Oxenhope Reserves entertained top of the table Addingham and it was the home side who made the early running, scoring through Adrian Snowden. Addingham realised it would not be a walkover and stepped up a gear, pulling level, only to see goals from Duncan Bairstow and Adam Bailey give Oxenhope a 3-0 interval lead.

The second half saw Oxenhope finally crack under strong pressure from Addingham. Two quick goals forced the tie into extra time and with Oxenhope reduced to 10 men their cause was lost with Addingham added two further goals to reach the second round.

Premier Division leaders Cross Hills visited Grassington United where both teams took time to settle on a sticky pitch. Hills eventually put the home defence under pressure with some good football, but could not find the net until James McCormack scored with a clever shot. Andrew Summersgill soon made it two, splitting the defence to give Robert Kaminski a simple tap-in.

The second half faded a little with Cross Hills unable to add to their score and Grassington never really threatening the Hills goal.

Keighley returned from a trip to Rimington with a 7-2 victory after playing their best football of the season. They dominated from the start with Joynal Ali opening the scoring and Sean Rowley adding a second. Not to be outdone Rimington hit back with a goal but Steven Cook quickly restored the two goal advantage.

Rimington started the second half strongly, scoring their second but Keighley did not buckle and Steven Duff chipped the keeper for a fourth which ended the Ribble Valley side's resistance. Further goals from Ali, Steven Cook and substitute goalkeeper Paul Stewart completed the scoring and gave notice that Keighley will be contenders for the title if they maintain their form.

Sutton have started the New Year well in Division One and shocked Clitheroe with a great display which brought a 3-1 victory. The home side took the lead and held their single goal advantage until the second half when Sutton really hit top gear. Steve Reape scored the equaliser from the penalty spot and Paul Hitch put them ahead with a 20-yard shot. Sutton's third came from substitute Jonathan Reape who blasted home the rebound after Gareth Brown's shot hit the crossbar.

Division Two leaders Bronte Wanderers finally surrendered their 100 per cent record, going down to Barrowford United despite a strong early performance from the Wanderers. Sean Kavanagh gave them the lead but the Lancashire side hit back straight away, and within minutes were 2-1 up. The second half saw Barrowford add their third, but Kavanagh quickly reduced the arrears before a harsh penalty put Barrowford 4-2 ahead. With time running out Bronte pushed forward, Nigel smith made it 4-3 but time ran out before they could score an equaliser.

Silsden Athletic continued their climb up the table with a 3-2 victory over Grindleton reserves. A poor start by the Cobbydale side handed Grindleton a two goal lead, but a change in fortunes saw Silsden begin to get into the game. Two well taken goals before half time from Keith Pepper and Gareth Walsh saw them go into the break level and the second half was end-to-end action until Silsden finally broke the deadlock with Jamie Cunningham's goal of the match.

Lothersdale were back to full strength for their home match with Horton and they attacked from the start by wasted chance after chance. Horton also had their moments but both defences held firm until half time. Early in the second period Dale opened their account through Craig Walsh. Horton replied immediately and then took the lead.

With 10 minutes to go the points looked to be drifting away until Dale broke down the left, Phil Richardson put the scores level and Dale went for the kill. Their pressure brought a free kick and skipper Craig Walsh coolly bent it round the keeper for the winner, giving Craig Walsh his second goal.

Bronte Wanderers Reserves had a comfortable victory over a poor Hellifield Reserves side who lacked commitment. Bronte dominated the first half but wasted a string of chances and only had a Dave Armstrong goal to show at the break. The second half saw the chances converted with goals from Munzir Nazir, Darren Maddocks, David Bainbridge and Scott Turkington hitting the net.

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