CRAVEN Minors skipper Adam Longden got the only goal of the game to give his side victory with 15 minutes left.

Despite having to start with a couple of new players and making positional changes, Craven started strongly against Wharfedale in the WRCFA Minor Cup at Barnoldswick Town.

Longden and Harry Thompson took an early grip on centre midfield, and the new partnership of Jez Gee and man of the match Tim Baines settled in well in the centre of defence.

On 25 minutes, Craven had their first half chance when, from good play by Raj Chowdhury, Paul Oldroyd's shot was not held, but Daniel Oldfield couldn't get there before the keeper. Duncan Sullivan won a strong challenge, but his lob over the keeper was just wide. The same player was then just beaten to the ball by the keeper, following an incisive pass from Oldroyd.

Craven were the better side in the first half, with Stuart Cross not having to make a save, but it ended 0-0.

From the restart, Oldfield threatened

from the left. Shaun Gardner also kept up pressure on the right, and then on 70 minutes, Thompson just missed with a free-kick.

Craven's pressure told on 75 minutes when another Thompson free-kick was met perfectly by the head of Longden for a

well-deserved winner.

Oldfield struck the angle before Wharfedale pressed in the closing stages, but the Craven defence held strong, with Mark Brennand and all three substitutes working hard to seal the win.