Trawden 1, Cross Hills 5.

THE New Year started with abang for Cross Hills who raced to victory in their top of the table clash with Trawden in the East Lancashire League.

The Lancashire club capitalised on strong windy conditions, taking advantage to pen the scoring with a free header from a corner when the Hills defence were caught ball watching.

Hills soon levelled when Fenton's glancing header from Lloyd's cross was deflected home.

The South Craveners finished the half stronger and could have taken the lead when a clear penalty claim was turned down after Lloyd skipped passed the fullback only to be tripped.

With the wind behind the Yorkshire men, and playing controlled passing football, Trawden struggled to escape from their own half. Lloyd put Hills infront, heading home, and later vollected a second direct from a corner.

Trawden had no answers to Rosser, Harrison and Green who controlled the defence. Hills pushed forward through Topsney and Lonsdale in midfield who were looking to add to the scoreline.

The fourth goal arrived thanks to Gray's pull-back which found the unmarked Lee who redirected the ball into the back of the net from six yards.

The tireless Lee collected his brace when Schofield and Smith combined with the best move of the game, threading Lee through to hammer home inside the near post. His goal sealed a well disciplined display from the Craveners who close the gap to one point with games in hand at the top of the table.

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