Small town Grassington wins Craven League title
2:28pm Thursday 8th May 2008
It may have been a long time coming but victory on Saturday was very sweet for Grassington United who wrapped up the Craven League's Premier Division title with a 9-2 victory at Skipton Town.
The drama on Saturday was even greater considering just a few hundreds yards from Skipton Town's ground, Grassington's main opposition for the title, Skipton LMS were playing at home to Clitheroe.
A Grassington loss and LMS win would have meant the latter, who had led the league for much of the season, would have taken the title. However, LMS lost 1-0 and in-form Grassington fired on all cylinders to cruise past Skipton Town.
Grassington centre forward Adam Steventon, who has scored 43 goals this season, sealed his hat-trick early on in the game and the result for Grassington was never in doubt.
Grassington manager Paul Baxter was overjoyed at the bringing the Craven League title back to the club.
He said: "It's been a long time coming. It's been over 40 years since we've won the title. It's seems like a lifetime ago."
Baxter, who played for the club like his father and grandad before him, said a lot of people attended the game (many from other clubs) to root for Grassington.
Baxter said: "A lot of people wanted to see the small town club win. This was a big feat for everybody at the club from the tea lady to the groundsman."
It was a tremendous achievement for Grassington to take the title, considering just a few weeks ago Skipton LMS had all but wrapped up the division.
But an astonishing turn of result saw LMS struggle and Grassington go on an end of season run.
Baxter added: "We had to win our last six games and we did. We've played well this year."
Grassington can now turn their attention to the Morrison Cup final tonight. They play East Lancashire side Settle United in a match that kicks off at 6.30pm.
Baxter said: "Because we're on a run, I'd like to think we've got a good chance."
Settle United's first team have struggled in the East Lancs League and could return to the Craven League next season.
Their second team already plays in the Craven League and they wrapped up the Division Three title with a 7-1 win against Cowling Reserves on Saturday.
It was the third victory in a week as they also beat Grindleton Reserves 3-1 last Thursday and recorded a big 2-0 win over division runners-up Silsden Whitestar on the Monday.
Settle United manager Terry Ralph said: "It was a good achievement considering we just moved into the league this season. Our target was achieving promotion but winning the league was a bonus."
Ralph said the Morrison Cup final game will be a good test for Settle's first team to see how they match up against league opposition for next season.