Clubs battle it out for District Cup semi-final places

1:29pm Thursday 21st February 2008

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The Craven District Association cup competitions were brought a stage closer to the semi-finals when on a glorious day all the matches were played to a conclusion.

In the Smart & Cook inc Slater Marchant Craven Challenge Cup Hellifield were denied a semi-final place with a lacklustre performance at Dent losing in extra-time 6-4.

The latter now join Barnoldswick Town 2nds, Ingleton and Rimington in the semi-final draw.

The Skipton Building Society Morrison Cup produced a couple of surprise results when Barnoldswick Barons, leaders of Division Three, won at Premier Division Bradley by a single goal and Carleton produced a fine second-half display to beat East Lancs outfit Colne United 5-1.

A single goal gave Grassington United a win at Earby Town and Settle United, having a moderate season in the East Lancs League, won at Embsay 2-1 while Gargrave eased into the next round with a 3-0 home win over Rolls Royce.

The only fixture in the Norman Pratt Trophy saw Embsay Reserves win 2-0 at Skipton LMS and they now play Kelbrook Reserves in the quarter-final.

Ingleton and Rimington are already in the semi-finals with Gargrave Reserves and Colne United playing for the other place in the last four.

Dent booked a place in the Craven Cup semi-finals with a 6-4 home win over Hellifield who, despite taking the lead with a Carl Stanford deflected shot, were not convincing and the home side, playing up the slope, equalised when ex-Craven Minors Shaun Gardener hammered home a strong shot.

Dent went in front when Hellifield stood waiting for an offside whistle that never came and a further Dent goal gave Hellifield a hard task playing up the slope in the second-half.

On the hour mark Dale Denham scored with a well- taken shot and when the same player levelled the scores after a long throw was not cleared, the visitors were playing with more purpose.

Dent regained the lead but in a frantic finish Sam Gray hammered home in a goalmouth scramble to send the tie into extra-time.

Dent would not be denied and scored two excellent goals to deservedly win a semi-final place. Gardener added a further goal. Paul Boustead (2), Richard Moffatt and Andrew Burrow were also on target.

Earby Town gave Grassington United a tough time but could not turn their possession into goals after dominating the first-half. The introduction of Adam Steventon for the visitors bolstered their attack and he scored the only goal.

Then his colleagues defended stoutly to deny a gallant Earby side who strived hard for an equaliser.

Barnoldswick Barons netted the only goal with 15 minutes left to win a game of few chances against Bradley. Barons now visit Grassington.

Colne United must have left Carleton wondering how they lost this cup tie when they totally dominated the first-half and embarrassingly missed numerous chances before taking a half-time lead.

However in a complete reversal Carleton scored five times without reply, Stuart Gee claiming a hat-trick and there were further goals from Robert Smithies and James Grant.

Settle United and Embsay are having poor seasons in their respective leagues and when you are at the bottom luck does not always go your way.

So it proved for Embsay as they had a player sent off and were denied a penalty in the last few minutes of this game.

Embsay had the better of the early play but visitors Settle took the lead when Matthew Wildman scored with a 20 yard strike.

For all their possession the home side could not score and even playing up the slope in the second-half it was the same story with Settle again scoring through Ian Wildman.

The ten men of Embsay pulled a goal back to give them a glimmer of hope but Settle survived the late penalty call to earn a semi-final place. Another former Craven Minor, Adam Smith took the eye in centre of Settle's defence.

Gargrave's 3-0 home win over Rolls was not convincing as Rolls' early play could have brought two goals.

The home side took an early lead through Liam Jameson whose shot went through a crowded goalmouth and increased it when Thomas Varey finished well.

Harry Thompson's chipped shot rounded off the scoring in a match refereed by North Lancs official Ray Akrigg who praised both teams for their sportsmanship.

In the Norman Pratt Trophy, Embsay progressed with a 2-0 win at Skipton LMS. After a bright start by the home side Embsay began to improve and were rewarded with two second-half goals through Peter Watson and veteran Neil Robinson.

The Devonshire Carpets Craven League had a small programme of matches with Skipton Town and Cononley Sports sharing four goals in the Premier Division while in Division One Gargrave Reserves had a splendid 3-1 win at high-riding Grindleton.

One goal down at the break Christian Moon soon levelled the scores and Simon Boatwright put Gargrave in the lead. Matt Brown's angled shot brought a deserved win as the home side had a player dismissed as they lost their composure.

Pendle Renegades got back to winning ways with a 7-5 win at Cononley while Horton gave a creditable performance at Trawden losing 3-1 with Ben Pilkington scoring a penalty.

Grassington United Reserves lost 4-1 at Chatburn while Skipton Town Reserves won at Rolls Royce Reserves 4-3. Rolls took the lead when a Town defender headed into his own net.

Rolls tried to play offside and were punished as Town drew level. Rolls regained the lead early in the new half when Carl Ashton scored direct from a corner, however the visitors were soon level and in the lead.

They extended the score to 4-2 but David Tullett gave Rolls a glimmer of hope of saving the match with a goal but they ran out of time.

In Division Three Karl Farrell scored Earby Town Reserves' goal in a 5-1 home defeat by Silsden Whitestar while Skipton Town A had a comfortable 9-1 win over Bradley Reserves.

In an impressive victory they played some intelligent football and were four goals up at the break and they could have scored more.

Will Knight and Andy Cooke both scored hat-tricks while there were further goals from Ryan Jackson, Ibraar Ali and defender Richard Martin.