Craven League round-up

Hopes were high in the away dressing room after last week’s win against Barnoldswick Town in the Craven Cup. But these hopes were dashed by a slicker Long Lee team who adapted better to the wet conditions.

The first 20 minutes were fairly even with both sides going close. However, once they’d scored the first goal Long Lee never looked back.

After taking a two goal lead into the half-time break they started to dominate in the second period and created numerous chances.

In truth the scoreline could have been more emphatic were it not for bad finishing and good work by Grassington goalkeeper Robert Booth who, despite the scoreline, can take some credit from the game.

Robert Bradley and Adam Steventon both scored what were merely consolation goals for Grassington, who will be looking for much improvement in their next game.

Settle United 1 Embsay 0

In this Division One game a very rainy first-half, which made the pitch very slippery, saw both sides finding it difficult to play their passing game.

Both defences were on top of their game making it hard for both sets forwards to get any breakthrough.

In the second period the weather improved as the game wore on. Settle started to have most of the game and put more pressure on the Embsay goal. Midway through the half the Settle midfield was dominant marshalled by man-of-the-match David Worthington.

Substitute Ryan Preston and Worthington combined well and good play between them created the winning goal which Worthington scored with a good strike into the bottom left corner giving the ’keeper no chance.

The goal lifted Settle and they went close to increasing their lead but had to keep their concentration as Embsay never gave up.

Waddington Res 1 Settle Reserves 2

IN a Division Three game, played in awful conditions and on a bad pitch, football was never going to be the winner.

Settle Reserves were first to score when Mark McLoughlin collected the ball 30 yards out and took the defenders on before rounding the ’keeper to score a good solo goal.

Settle were well marshalled by veteran Philip Haworth to keep their deserved lead at half-time.

In the second-half Waddington levelled early on, which gave them a lift, but Settle held firm. Settle’s winner came from man-of-the-match Jason Cardus.

Silsden Whitestar 2 Gargrave Reserves 0

Gargrave Reserves were slow out of the starting blocks on Saturday. Silsden Whitestar took advantage and scored a couple of goals in the first 20 minutes of play.

A change of formation in the second- half improved the visitors’ game but Silsden were the more physical side and it was hard to break through their defence. Adam Hudson in the Gargrave goal had another solid game whilst a good performance from Jonathan Chapman earned him the man-of-the-match accolade.

Gargrave AFC 3 Waddington FC 2

Waddington were the first on the scoresheet but Ben Brown levelled with the coollest of finishes.

Christian Moon’s long range shot was just parried over by the ’keeper. Waddington took the lead against the run of play but a well placed shot from Moon levelled. Richard Orme’s long range free-kick was well saved to leave the score at 2-2 at the break.

Gargrave returned to the field in the second-half and began to create more and more chances with their composed and fluent passing of the ball.

Five attempts on goal saw shots go marginally wide or just over. Player-manager Matt Brown hit the post and five more attempts were just wide of the target.

Finally with minutes to go the conscientious Matt Brown deservedly scored the winner. This was a good all-round performance worthy of a victory. Joel Timmins was man-of-the-match for Gargrave.