EVER wondered what is the difference in strength between the divisions in the Mastab's Craven League?

The Northern Plant Hire Trophy should be a good indicator.

Wilsden Athletic's second-round 7-1 victory at Bradley in a battle between the tenth-placed clubs in the Premier Division and Division One suggests the gap is large.

However, the fact that Skipton LMS only won 3-2 at Pendle Renegades in a meeting of sixth-placed clubs in those divisions indicates that the margin may be smaller than that. Fred Midgley (2) and man of the match Luke Howsen netted for LMS.

Top-flight class certainly told at Bradley as James Halliday (2), Jack Lancaster, Jordan Woolsey, Alex Lancaster, Joel Hardy and James Whitaker netted for Wilsden, with Jordan Blackburn registering the solitary response.

Meanwhile, a penalty from Dom Creed was Silsden Whitestars’ only reward in their 3-1 defeat at AFC Colne in an all-Division One tie where the fifth-placed hosts overcame their third-placed visitors, who had Andy Kay sent off. Andy McNulty was Whitestars' man of the match.

Premier Division Settle United defeated Division One visitors Oxenhope Recreation 4-1 in a battle of fourth-placed clubs.

The underdogs put up a spirited display and trailed by just a single goal at the break. Early in the second half, Oxenhope had Settle rattled as they dominated play, and their pressure was rewarded when they equalised through Liam Dyson.

Chances continued to come at both ends but it was the home side that regained the advantage on 70 minutes when a cross was dropped by keeper Grahame Ellis in a crowded penalty area and the Settle striker punished the error.

The visitors pressed for the equaliser but as they drove forwards, Settle seized two late breakaway goals to give an unfair bias to the scoreline.

Shaun Airey (2), Will Beckwith and substitute Liam Swanson were on target for United, whose man of the match was Elliot Firth.

Oxenhope make the same long journey on Saturday – but this time to face Settle United Reserves in a Craven League Cup fixture (1.30).

Hosts FC Polonia are going well in Division Two but they were no match for Division One Skipton Town, who won 5-2 thanks to man of the match William Knight (2), Jake Thompson (2) and Liam Cartman.

One team that did cash in on their divisional superiority, however, were Sporting Keighley, who trounced minnows Barlick Wanderers 12-0 at Marley Stadium, Wayne Hird being man of the match for the losers.

There were some league matches in Division Three, and Thabani Songo-inspired Cowling Reserves notched the shock result, the seventh-placed visitors winning 4-2 at fourth-placed Skipton Town Reserves, whose marksmen were Anthony Dean and Ross Greenwood, Shane Dwyer being their man of the match.

Matthew Bolton struck the consolation goal as Sutton suffered a 6-1 defeat at home to Addingham, Danny Waterfield getting the losers' man of the match award.