Silsden'S progress to four honours gets closer and closer with maximum points coming from midweek and Saturday matches -- and they also reached the final of the Northern Plant Hire Trophy.

The Challenge Cup victory came against Addingham who were holding them to a 0-0 draw at half time. Three minutes after the break Jamie Broadhead found the net and Silsden were on their way.

Michael Ward scored a couple of goals before Addingham pulled one back, but Matthew Bland soon put any hopes of revival out of the window. In the closing stagers Michael Ward completed his hat-trick with Silsden's sixth goal.

Cross Hills are looking for a top three finish and entertained relegation threatened Haworth. For the first half hour they took the Worth Valley defence to the cleaners with Adam Whiteoak and Ian Craven out pacing the Haworth defence to score a goal each.

Haworth settled and took advantage of a lapse in the Cross Hills defence to pull a goal back and were level at 2-2 by half time. The second half was all end-to-end action as Andrew Little restored the Hills lead before Haworth pulled back level again. Both sides had chances with Hills missing from the penalty spot as the game ended in a draw with Gilmartin (2) and Thompson scoring for Haworth.

Oxenhope Recreation bounced back from their semi-final defeat to get back into league action with a 7-2 home victory over Colne Cricket Club. Adam Bailey and Paul Sewell put them ahead before the cricketers pulled one back only to see Sewell complete his hat-trick for Oxenhope before the break. Colne briefly came back into the match only to see strikes from James Bailey, Danny Mitchell and Sewell wrap up the points.

Sutton moved closer to the Division Two title with a 4-2 defeat of Cowling Reserves who started with lively attacking play and took a surprise two goal lead. Sutton pulled one back through Gary Hanson and began to dominate after the break when Alan Robertson equalised from a free kick. James McCormack put Sutton ahead and Cowling's brave fight ended when Ian Guest scored a fourth goal.

The League Cup, and remaining Northern Plant Hire semi-final were played on Saturday with Silsden making it to their second final of the season by beating Keighley 3-1. The keighley side started well and opened the scoring through Stewart Kinnear.

Both sides played good football with defences cancelling each other out in the first half. Keighley held on to their lead until the 60th minute when Martin Bland curled a superb shot into the top corner to put Silsden level.

Keighley worked hard to keep the Cobbydale club at bay, but superior fitness told and substitute Andy Geary put Silsden ahead and on course for the final when he headed home Martin McLennon's cross. Though Keighley again tried hard to pull the goal back Silden's defence held firm and they made it safe when Michael Ward scored their third goal with the last kick of the match. They now met Colne CC in the final at Gargrave on may 4.

Holders Oxenhope Recreation visited Cross Hills in the final of the Premier Division Cup in a close contest. Oxenhope faced a strong wind in the first half and found the young Cross Hills side a handful, but the youngsters could not find their finishing touch. Corner after corner went the Cross Hills way and two appeals for penalties went unrewarded as the first half ended without a goal.

The match was won and lost in the opening 10 minutes of the second half when Steven Buckley opened Oxenhope's account after the Hills defence lost a high ball in the sun. The second came minutes later when Steven Potts hit the back of the net.

Cross Hills refused to give up but the Oxenhope defence held firm and and Potts put Oxenhope in t he final with a third goal. they will meet the winners of this week's semi-final when Silsden play Haworth at Cross Hills tonight (Friday) 6.30ko.

Sutton kept their hopes of a double alive with a 4-2 victory over Silsden Reserves in the Division Two League Cup semi-final. Sutton won the toss and chose to play against a strong wind, and within 10 minutes were a goal down with Chris Brookes on target for Silsden. Alan Robertson equalised from a free kick but Chris Brooks soon had Silsden back in front .

In the second half Sutton began to work together and Gary Hanson levelled the scores and a 30-yard shot from Steve Reape put them ahead. Silsden pushed forward looking for an equaliser but it was Steve Holden who made the game safe with a fourth goal on the counter attack.

Premier Division strugglers Haworth and Addingham met, but the Worth Valley club failed to get into top gear as the visitors showed real determination from the first whistle. Matthew Gilmartin put Haworth ahead against the run of play, but Addingham equalised before the break and went on to collect the winner to edge away from the danger zone.

Bottom club Cowling entertained Colne Cricket Club, and although Cowling's cause is almost lost they gave a good account of themselves and took both points. Colne could only muster 10 men because of cricket commitments and the South Craven club took full advantage with David Gott giving them the lead. Paul Allwood slotted the second and Colne briefly came back with a goal, but after the break Cowling really got on top with some good football and James Ayrton slotted past the keeper for a welcome two points.

In Division Two Bronte Wanderers kept up their chase for promotion with a 2-1 victory at Barrowford United who put up a spirited fight, but Bronte just had the edge to take both points.

Lothersdale Athletic went on a goal scoring spree when they entertained Settle United, winning by 12-0 to go back to the top of the table. Goals came at regular intervals after Phillip Richardson scored the opening goal following good work by Mark Watson. Settle folded and Dale were able to boost their goal difference by scoring a further 11 goals from Mark Westfall (3), Thomas Richardson (3), Phillip Richardson (2), Mark Watson, Andrew Cole and Craig Walsh.

Dale dropped a point on Monday when they drew with Carleton, but three points from three matches should give them the title, although Saturday's match at Grindleton will be decisive.

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