ONLY a handful of Craven League matches took place over the weekend with many clubs involved in district cup games but two outstanding Northern Plant Hire Challenge Cup matches were played.

In a first round match Cross Hills repeated their previous week's victory over Skipton Bulldogs by a 2-1 margin, giving them a home tie against Cowling in the second round.

In a second round match Grindleton and Grassington were locked at 4-4 after extra time, with Grindleton coming out on top 4-3 on penalties.

In the Premier Division Embsay went back on top for the first time this season with a 3-1 win over Rimington but in the First Division Bradley suffered their first defeat of the season against Skipton LMS. They stay top as Intake lost at home to Carleton.

Challenge Trophy - Cross Hills 2 Skipton Bulldogs 1.

A superb match, fought in fine spirit entertained the crowd as Cross Hills just held off the challenge of Bulldogs, who will rue their missed chances.

Bulldogs started as though they were going to blow their opponents away but the home side hung in and gradually got back into the game.A brilliant passing move saw Adam Whiteoak shoot narrowly wide for Cross Hills but they suffered a blow after 30 minutes when Stephen Barraclough was sent off.

Dogs hit the bar and forced an outstanding save from Adam Greenwood before going behind when Whiteoak was brought down in the area and then struck home the penalty.

With their extra man, Bulldogs pressed hard, even though Richard Booth and Andrew Holland were marshalling midfield well for Cross Hills, and eventually got their reward when Andrew Bate equalised with a blistering shot from 25 yards.

The game swang from end to end and finally Whiteoak settled the tie with a brilliant solo goal on the break with barely two minutes remaining. A great goal to settle a great game.

Grindleton 4 Grassington 4 (Grindleton win on penalties).

Another great match, this time in the second round, with Grindleton having to reshuffle with two players, one the manager, leaving the club.

Peter Dakin restored their confidence to put them ahead but Adam Steventon equalised.

Grassington were to have 28 corners in the match but failed to score from one of them.

James Towler put Grindleton ahead again and Mark Anderson equalised before the home side's new pairing up front created a third goal, Scott Fielding being brought down in the box and Ted Fox scoring the penalty.

It looked as though the tie was safe when Fielding scored his first goal for the club to make it 4-2.

However, Grassington were not finished and Dave Daggett and Chris Akrigg scored late goals to send the game into a scoreless extra time.

Penalties saw Grindleton hold their nerve and progress into the next round, a reward for showing determination despite their pre-match problems.

Premier Division

Cononley Sports 4 Colne CC 1

A scrappy first half produced no goals but Cononley went on to dominate.

Goals from Tony Longworth, Ian Thompson and Paul Jackson put them 3-0 ahead before Mark Barnes pulled one back.

Any thoughts of a revival were ended when Ian Thompson headed home his second goal.

Rimington 1 Embsay 3

The wind was always going to be a factor and Embsay, with it behind them in the first half, took advantage.

Liam Salkeld got them off to a perfect start with his first goal from the club, a sweet strike.

Rimington were gifted an immediate equaliser but Embsay always looked dangerous and Wally Robertson scored the second and Rob Fowler made it 3-1 at half time.

The wind seemed to strengthen but Embsay's defence was well marshalled by John Thornton and Rimington never looked like pulling the goals back. A workmanlike performance ensured that Embsay took the points.

Division One

Gargrave 1 Hellifield 4

The home side took the lead thanks to a cracking shot from Wayne Fisher and they did create several chances.

A good move was finished off by Chris Ford to make it 1-1 at half time.

Gargrave had picked up three injuries and a lack of substitutes was to cost them dear as Hellifield took full advantage. Jack Firth put them ahead, Mark Webb scored from a header and on the final whistle Firth added his second.

Skipton LMS 3 Bradley 1

LMS always held the advantage and piled on the pressure from the start and deservedly took the lead after 25 minutes when a corner was not cleared and Mark Osadzenko headed home from close range.

Bradley did get back on level terms when James Robinson converted a penalty but LMS regained the lead when Kent Bailey showed his pace to hold off the challenges and finish neatly.

LMS kept a tight grip of the match and consolidated their lead when Osadzenko outstripped the defence and hit an unstoppable shot past the keeper.

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