Champions take over at the top (From Craven Herald)

Champions Skipton LMS take over at the top of Premier Division

3:48pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in Sport By Alan Birkinshaw, Weeklies Sports Editor

Champions Skipton LMS went back to the top of the Mastab's Craven League Premier Division after a 3-2 home win over lowly Embsay.

Goals from Michael Conroy, Ian Craven – his 11th of the season to move him level with Rolls’ Daniel Paton at the top of the goalscoring charts – and Luke Howsen earned them the three points which enabled LMS to regain the lead from Grindleton who were without a game.

Peter Watson and Alex Conroy netted for Embsay who have now conceded 30 goals – more than any other side in the top flight.

LMS lead the table by one point from Rolls who moved up to second place after a 5-3 victory at Pendle. Third-placed Grindleton have two games in hand over the two teams above them.

Paul McDowall (2), Chris Bell, Benjamin Crabtree and Matthew Naylor earned Rolls their third win of the season.

In the remaining Premier Division game, Trawden Celtic defeated Crosshills 5-3, Wilsden pulled seven points clear at the top of the Division One table after a 4-0 victory over Hellifield.

Alex Lancaster, Thomas Dibb, Jack Lancaster and an own goal enabled them to record their seventh win in eight matches.

James Gill and Simon Harris each scored twice as second-placed Oakworth won 4-0 away to bottom-team Rolls Reserves.

Pendle are fourth after an Andy Ledger hat-trick helped them to a 4-0 win over Settle United. David Tuleet had earlier opened the scoring.

Chatburn and Earby Town shared eight goals as they fought out a 4-4 draw. Harry Proos (2), Matthew Musgrove and Dave Fallon were on target for Chatburn with Jake Palmer (2), Matthew Nutter and Jonathan Parker replying for Earby.

Pendle Renegades opened a three-point lead in Division Two after beating Skipton Town 4-1.

Scott Myers netted twice and there were further goals from Ian Livesey and Norman Taylforth.

Second-placed AFC Colne were defeated 3-2 away by second-bottom Silsden Whitestar Reserves. Goals from Gavin Shearer (2) and Gavin Cox proved decisive.

Earby Town Reserves closed to within a point of AFC Colne after hitting Skipton LMS Reserves for six.

James Oldroyd and Adam Smith each scored twice while Matthew Bowker and Chris Crabtree added further goals in a 6-0 win.

Embsay Reserves moved up to fourth with a comfortable 5-1 win over Gargrave Reserves.

Matthew Hawkins (2), Ayrton Aldridge, Michael Gane and Ben Lowry scored for Embsay while Joshua Town replied for Gargrave.

Cononley lead Division Three after a 4-2 win at Ingrow & Worth Valley Reserves. Daniel Blakesley and Sean Kelly were on target for the home side.

Craig Ebrell, Colin Throupe, Tommy Seward and an own goal netted for Cononley who take over top spot from Cross Hills Reserves who were held 4-4 by Cowling Reserves.

Sam Dudman, Alistair Jones, Zak Loker and Scott Mason were on target for Cowling.

Goals from Matthew Appleton and Andrew Collup helped Grassington United Reserves to defeat Sutton 2-1.

All eight goals came in the second half as Oakworth Reserves defeated Grindleton Reserves 5-3. Goals from Tom Hill, Chris Reynolds, Jamie Greenwood, Gary Earle (penalty) and David Rhodes, earned the points.

Simon Hodgson and Simon Ryan plus an own goal accounted for Grindleton’s tally.

Horton edged out Carleton Reserves 3-2 to boost their Division Four promotion challenge.

Dan Sharpe (2) and Nick Cokell netted for Horton while Matthew Dobson and Stuart Gee replied.

Jonathan Nash hit a hat-trick as Skipton Town Reserves defeated Barnoldswick Barons 4-1. Riley Handworth was also on target. Richard Greenhalgh netted for Barons.

Jack Fletcher’s double helped Sutton Reserves see off Bradley Reserves 5-2. Jamie Forrest, Zac Pearson and Ben Loker rounded off the Sutton scoring. David Hunt and Robbie Smith replied.

Northern Plant Hire Trophy Last season’s beaten finalists Cononley have been knocked out of the current competition.

They went down 3-2 to Grassington United after extra time.

Goals from Christian Akrigg, Ben Schindler and Sam Webster sealed a third-round tie against Oxenhope Rec for Grassington.

Third Division Oxenhope beat new boys Padiham Town, who are setting the pace in Division Four, 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw Two goals from Sam Coates saw them leading with ten minutes to go but a penalty from Christopher Astbury and a strike from Nick Sharples forced extra-time.

Lee Rhodes, Nigel Smith and Mark Labbett converted their spot kicks for Oxenhope in the shoot out.

The Premier Division’s bottom team Cowling ran out easy 4-0 winners over a Bingley Town side currently propping up Division Two.

Goals from Matthew Brown (2), Lee Barker and an own goal settled the outcome.

Division Two side Barnoldswick Barons defeated Division One outfit Gargrave 3-2. Luke Scott scored twice and Paul Clifton once for Barons.

Barons had started the game well and established a 2-0 lead. Gargrave didn’t help themselves when John Beckwith had a penalty saved.

Some good passing moves from the hosts was soon rewarded with their first goal courtesy of Tom Varey. Then a close-range header from defender Matthew Brennand levelled the scores. Minutes from time Barnoldswick Barons snatched a winning goal from close range.