SILSDEN WHITESTAR FIRST were left needing to blow off the cobwebs after their return to Craven League Premier Division action saw them lose 3-0 at Grassington United First.

Grassington were rarely troubled by their visitors, playing their first match in over two months, with Kyun Ellison, Ollie Hunter, and Fred Midgeley all finding the back of the net to secure a deserved three points.

The only other match in the division saw Trawden Celtic Juniors First extend their lead at the top of the table to six points after surviving a scare to beat Cowling First 3-2.

Cononley Sports Club First also edged out Skipton Town First by the same scoreline in the final first-round tie of the division’s cup competition to set up one of the trickiest second-round matches at home to AFC Barnoldswick First.

It’s only a matter of time before Division 1 leaders AFC Crossleys secure the title after their 4-1 win at Settle United Reserves moved them a staggering 16 points clear of second-placed Trawden Celtic Juniors Reserves.

Tom Kershaw found the back of the net twice, whilst Ryan Carrington and division top-scorer Lewis Oldridge were also on the scoresheet for the visitors.

Ingleton’s Alex Hartley also earned the plaudits after firing a hat-trick in his side’s 6-0 demolition of Addingham First, who conceded five times in a sensational second-half collapse.

There were goals galore in Division 2, with a full programme of matches taking place.

Harrison Yeoman scored his 25th and 26th goals of a prolific campaign to help leaders Padiham FC Juniors beat Otley Town 3rds 4-1, with Barnoldswick Barons Senior Open Age remaining hot on their heels after Dan Hughes’ hat-trick saw them claim the points in a five-goal thriller at home to Barlick Wanderers.

Cowling continue to struggle at Summerhill Lane, with Grindleton the latest team to come away from Steeton with a 4-0 win, Elliot Mashiter netting either side of an Elliot Haswell Shaw goal in the second half before Liam Owen rounded off the scoring in the 80th minute.

Elsewhere in the division, a five-star performance from Crosshills Reserves saw them ease to a 5-3 victory at Sutton First to move into third, whilst second-half goals from Ben Loftus and Ben Ramsden helped Bradley First to a 2-0 victory at Hellifield Sports.

Rolls Reserves were the big scorers in Division 3, with Mohammed Butt scoring four of their seven goals as they put Settle United Reserves to the sword.

Doubles from Tyler McGladdery and Miles Parris saw iPlay 2nds score five to pick up their first win since October in style at home to Otley Town 3rds, whilst Weston Lane Juniors moved up to fifth after beating Cononley Sports Club 2nds 3-1 in the only other matches to take place.

p to fifth after beating Cononley Sports Club 2nds 3-1.