REPORT BY: EMMA KENNEDY

THE Craven FA’s Cup competitions returned this weekend, giving Craven League sides the chance to face off against a host of teams across the region.

In the Peter Marsden Challenge Cup, Gargrave are comfortably into the next round following a 4-0 win at Westmorland Association League side Sedbergh & Dent United.

Joe Stapleton found the back of the net twice, with John Beckwith and Josh Page also on the scoresheet for the visitors.

However, it was an afternoon to forget for Grindleton at home to East Lancashire League side Rolls as they fell to a 13-0 defeat at Sawley Road.

Visiting goalkeeper George Gregson was hardly troubled as former Steeton forward Teal Amos and Liam Garbutt both netted hat-tricks, while Spencer Jordan, Jamie Milner, and Callum Broadleday also scored twice.

Hellifield Sports and Grassington United were also easily beaten by East Lancs sides Barnoldswick Town and Rimington.

Reece Milner scored three to help a strong Barnoldswick Town East Lancs side progress 4-2, with Jonathan Murphy netting a perfect hat-trick to see Rimington beat Grassington 3-0.

There were two all-Craven League ties, with Ingleton narrowly through to the second round after Will Metcalfe, Will Preece, and substitute Tom McKenzie helped them to a 3-2 win at Cononley.

Skipton Town also progressed following a 2-1 win at home to Barlick Wanderers.

The Craven League will also see representation in the next round of the Norman Pratt Trophy.

Dan Paton’s double set the tone for Rolls Reserves to thrash Settle United Reserves 6-0, while David Greenwood also scored twice to help Grassington United Reserves to a 4-1 win against Cononley Reserves.

Despite many sides featuring in the District FA’s Cup competitions, there were a handful of matches across the Craven League.

The only fixture in Division 1 certainly delivered on entertainment, with third-placed Barnoldswick Barons coming out on top in a 10-goal thriller at iPlay.

Damian Williams netted three of iPlay’s four but Matt Blackwell scored a hat-trick before Dan Hughes and Ben Speak came off the bench to seal the victory for the visitors.

There was also only one game in the Premier Division, where goals from Seth Wiseman and Stephen Wood helped Cowling to a 2-0 win at home to Trawden Celtic Juniors Reserves, a result that moves them up to fourth.

In Division 3, Colne United continued their impressive start to life in the League with a 5-1 thrashing of Weston Lane, with division top-scorer Jamie Holmes scoring twice, alongside goals from Andrew Ledgar, Jack Simmonite, and substitute Lee Hartley.

Carleton also hit five against Addingham Reserves at Ramper Park, having led 1-0 at the interval.

Despite not being able to raise a side last weekend, Barrowford United had no problems finding the back of the net against Otley Town 4ths, scoring a staggering 15 goals to seal their place in the semi-finals of the Division Three Cup.