Only three pitches recovered in time for the latest round of Craven District Cup matches last Saturday, thus delaying the draw for the Morrison Cup until at least the January meeting of the Executive Committee.

Smart & Cook inc Slater Marchant Craven Challenge Cup

Skipton LMS 3 Grindleton 2 (after extra time)

This game was a good advert for local football with both sides sharing tenacity, commitment and good quality football on a heavy pitch.

LMS probably had the better of the chances in the first half but found Grindleton goalkeeper Michael Mashiter in sparkling form. It was the visitors who took the lead with a good header from a free-kick which they managed to hold until the opening moments of the second half when Ian Craven latched onto a good through ball and rounded the keeper to put his side on level terms.

Ten minutes later the same player kept a cool head as he outpaced the Grindleton defence to slot the ball home and give his side the lead.

LMS had to defend deep as the visitors upped the tempo but without any serious effort on goal. However with 15 minutes left they finally broke through to score thanks to a deflected shot off a LMS defender.

In the first half of extra time a constant bout of pressure from the home side resulted in a penalty which was converted by Luke Krelle and his side worked hard in the last 20 minutes to ensure progress to the next round and a home tie with Cononley Sports on December 20.

Gargrave 6 Bentham 1

Gargrave were always on top with Bentham a bit rusty not having played for a fortnight but to their credit never stopped trying.

The home side had two early goals through Christian Moon, however Bentham pulled a goal back before the break when Jamie Parker scored.

The home side showed greater effort in the second half playing some excellent football and were rewarded when Joel Timmins slotted home and moments later Paul Wilkin finished another flowing move.

Substitutes Oliver Hurst and Ben Brown played a part in the fifth goal when Hurst created a goal when Brown’s goalbound shot was helped in by Wilkin. But Brown was not to be denied when he completed the scoring in a very good team performance with Dan Thompson picking up the Man-of-the-Match award.

Gargrave visit Barnoldswick Town in the next round.

Skipton Building Society Norman Pratt Trophy

Settle United Reserves 1 Gargrave Reserves 2

In excellent conditions both teams started slowly but as the first half progressed Gargrave started to play the better football, penning Settle back in their own half. Thet finally got the breakthrough on 25 minutes when Lee Barrett’s cross was headed home by Sam Ashby.

Ten minutes later the lead was increased when Jonathan Chapman broke from midfield to slot the ball home and but they missed an excellent chance in the second half to seal the game.

The home team came more into the game and found Stuart Wilson in the Gargrave goal in fine form, as he made several good saves. However, Settle grabbed the initiative and scored a goal through Michael Towler to set up a grandstand finish in which the home team having given an improved performance of late thought they deserved a draw.

Craven Minor players Matthew Cardus, who was making his debut for the Settle team, and Peter Bradley served the team well.

Gargrave now await the outcome of the Rimington v Grassington tie which will be played on December 6.

CRAVEN LEAGUE

Oakworth Reserves 3 Rolls Royce Reserves 2

Rolls Royce lost for the second game in a row on Saturday to bottom of the table Oakworth.

On what can only be described as a massive pitch Rolls struggled to get their passing game going and although they had a few chances in the first half they failed to convert any.

Oakworth took advantage when a poor clearance by the Rolls’ defence was crossed straight back and the attacker finished neatly.

After a change of formation at the start of the second half Rolls started very brightly and scored two in quick succession.

Browne got on the end of a through ball and rounded the keeper and when Danny Cassidy was fouled in the box Michael Uprichard finished confidently from the spot to make it 2-1 to the visitors. Rolls then decided to press that self-destruction button again and conceded two goals and let the game slip away. A cross-cum-shot flew in over stand-in goalkeeper Lee Parkinson and a failed clearance from a corner was put away by the grateful attacker.

Rolls huffed and puffed but never really got going again. A massive improvement is required for Saturday as they entertain top of the table Wilsden at home.

Chris Buchanan was named Man-of-the-Match for the locals.