BEN GORMAN hit a hat-trick as Trawden Celtic cemented their place as the team to beat in the Craven League Premier Division after thrashing Carleton Sports 6-1 last Saturday, writes Emma Kennedy.

Tom Swindells also found the back of the net twice for the hosts, with Rob Matthews’ goal a mere consolation on a disappointing afternoon for Carleton.

The only other match in the division saw last-placed Cononley Sports move up to seventh after seeing off fellow strugglers Bingley Town 5-1.

Things won’t get any easier for Bingley in the division’s cup competition either, with Grassington United’s 2-0 win against Cowling seeing them face a trip to Marley in the second round.

Division 1 leaders AFC Crossleys beat bottom-of-the-table Addingham 8-0.

Lewis Oldridge and Kaylum Moran Payne scored two apiece in the emphatic victory, with Ben Cartwright, Ben Cole, Trent Coulter, and substitute Ryan Carrington also finding the back of the net for the visitors.

Elsewhere, Ingleton squeezed past Settle United Reserves 3-2, while Callum Pick’s goal was not enough to stop Chatburn from falling to a third defeat in four at home to Baildon Trinity Athletic.

The win sees Baildon join Silsden Whitestar Reserves and Salts 3rds on 19 points after the latter two faced off in the Division 1 Cup at the weekend.

Zac Conway’s double saw Whitestar take an early lead, which they held onto to set up a second-round tie at home to title-chasers Trawden Celtic Reserves.

In Division 2, Harrison Yeoman made it 24 goals for the season after netting four in Padiham Juniors’ 6-0 demolition of hosts Sutton.

Rhys Meehan and Dylan Smith were also on the scoresheet for the league leaders, who extended their lead over Barnoldswick Barons Senior Open Age to eight points.

Crosshills Reserves inflicted more misery on bottom-of-the-table Cowling Reserves at Summerhill Lane after running out 4-2 winners, whilst Grindleton edged out Otley Town 3rds 3-2, despite finishing the match with 10 men after goal scorer Sean Holmes was dismissed after the break.

Finley Darwin’s 80th-minute goal was also enough to see Skipton Town Reserves claim the points at home to Hellifield Sports, who will now host Barlick Wanderers in the second round of the Cup after goals from Jake Boardman, Ashton Kovacs, and Kyle Platt helped them to a narrow 3-2 win at Bradley.

FC Keighley United Open Age took another step towards the Division 3 title after goals from Tyler Green, Leon Smith, and substitute Tyler Brigg helped them to a comfortable 4-0 win over second-placed AFC Crossleys Reserves.

The win opens up an 11-point gap to their opponents, who have two games in hand.

There were also wins for Sutton Reserves and Settle United 3rds, who put three goals past Carleton Sports Club 2nds and Weston Lane Juniors respectively, whilst Colin Throupe was on target twice for Cononley Sports Club 2nds in their 2-2 draw at iPlay 2nds.