It was virtually back to normal for the Devonshire Carpets Craven Football League when the majority of pitches recovered from the previous Monday's deluge that had left most of the Craven area with flood problems, with only a handful being postponed.

The high winds on Saturday were a severe test to the ability of players when the major issue was the Divisional League cup ties with Oxenhope Recreation beginning to show last season's form in the Premier Division with another win this time over Skipton LMS by 4-3.

Ian Craven scored a hat-trick for Skipton and put his team into a 3-2 lead with ten minutes to play. But the Keighley side hit two late goals keep their hopes alive of retaining the cup.

Gargrave lost by a single goal at home to WFC Clitheroe as both sides battled hard against the elements with the home side having the better of the chances but the visitors struck late in the game and survived late pressure from Gargrave who had a late goal chalked off for offside.

I was at Grassington to see the home side need extra time to see off the visitors Skipton Town by 6-4.

The swirling wind was blowing straight up the slope to assist Town but it was Robert Bradley who gave the home side the lead only for Tony Pleasants to level matters and but for the agility of home keeper Robert Booth the same player could have scored again.

Not to be out done Town keeper Richardo Baldoni also produced some excellent saves but was powerless to stop Grassington skipper John Barbour heading home a well placed free kick.

With half time beckoning Sean Devlin equalised with a strong shot. The second half did not produce a goal and an even contest went into extra time and apart from a couple of needless cautions the game was played in a sporting way with several players feeling the pace.

Six goals were scored in an amazing second half of extra time when the home side split the Town defence resulting in Jan Osdoba having a simple tap in and a minute later Bradley increased the lead with a clever flick from a long punt up field and hit the cross bar with an excellent shot before Pleasants scored from the penalty spot for Town and then a bizarre moment brought two goals.

Town were expecting the ball back from an injury situation when they had given up possession however Tom Bradford's intended pass to the Town keeper was caught by the wind and sailed into the net for Grassington's fifth goal, however common sense prevailed when Jimmy McConville was allowed to stroll down field from the kick off and score unchallenged to restore some parity.

Bradley completed his hat-trick which was well deserved for the home side's sixth goal. Craig Quigley was a power house in midfield for the winners and youngster George Evans took the eye for Town on day when each player contributed to a competitive match.

In the Premier league game Bradley picked up a point at Embsay with a 2-2 draw while other games were postponed.

In Division One Gargrave Reserves had a good away win at Oxenhope, playing up the slope with the wind in their favour Ben Brown scored two goals and although the home team pulled a goal back also up the slope Ben Brown went onto complete his hat-trick.

This virtually a home game for Gargrave skipper Richard Orme who lives at nearby Wilsden. In the league games both Carleton and Cowling had away draws at Padiham and Intake respectively.

The Division two league cup ties saw a 3-2 home win for Cononley over Grassington and Skipton Town lose at home to Trawden 2-1.Town manager Dave Suter stood in as referee and acquitted himself very well.

Town played against the wind in the first half and battled hard however Trawden took the lead mid-way through the half only for Carl Osadzenko to level almost immediately only for Trawden to score almost on the half time.

With the wind behind them Town tried hard for the equaliser but good goalkeeping and stout defending kept them at bay and there was time for Town goalkeeper Martin Pickard to pull off a tremendous save to keep Town in the game.

Earby Town demolished Rolls Royce reserves 10-3 in a league game, Earby were playing their first game since the beginning of December and took their frustrations out on poor old Rolls who have leaked in 21 goals in the last two matches. Earby scored goals from every part of the field with a five goal lead at the break but Rolls did better with the wind at their backs and scored three times but the Earby goal machine was relentless scoring a further five goals. Rolls marksmen were Nasir Siddq, Lee Barrett and Carl Ashton while James Oldroyd led the Earby scoring with four, Jake Palmer(2), Paul Hooper, Ciaran Roberts, Gavin Garbutt and Jay Farrell.

Horton and Embsay battled out a scoreless draw once again in very windy condition which made good football virtually impossible.

In Division Three Earby Town Reserves had a 4-1 victory at Bradley and with more composure the margin could have been greater.

Ashley Garbutt scored both goals in the first half and their good football was rewarded with further goals from the hard working Joel Howard and a poachers goal from Karl Farrell before Bradley's consolation goal.

League leaders Barnoldswick Barons were defeated 2-0 at Grindleton. Whilst in the League Cup Waddington Reserves were defeated 3-2 at Oakworth Reserves, Waddington finishing the game with nine men.

Skipton Town youth side had yet another good win with a 5-1 victory at Cowling Reserves in the League Cup. The home side took advantage of the wind by scoring from the half way line with a shot that rocketed into the net. Town mastered the wind and their quality passing brought them an equaliser with a goal from William Knight. The floodgates opened when Johnny Pepper put Town in the lead and further goals followed from Mathew Cavanagh, Craig Johnson and another one from man of the match William Knight.