THE shortage of referees in the Craven League has been an acute problem for some time now, but the situation has definitely reached crisis point now if last weekend's statistics are any guide.

The problem was thrown into sharp relief when the league had only nine referees available to cover 21 matches, owing to the large amount of officials crying off during the week.

Despite annual efforts at recruitment, no-one is coming forward, although if Craven-based referees would rally round, there are sufficient officials to go around.

"Unfortunately, some referees choose only to referee in Craven Association matches and ply their talents elsewhere at other times, which, of course, they are entitled to," says Craven League secretary, Peter Marsden. "But is there a case for them giving one Saturday to the League which gave them their first break in refereeing? In the current predicament, it would help and would be appreciated."

This weekend sees a full programme of Craven League matches, with a couple of Skipton games the focus of attention. Title challengers Skipton LMS have a home game against Oxenhope Recreation, while current leaders Keighley Lifts visit Skipton Bulldogs.

The full programme of league games tomorrow includes:

Premier Division: Bronte Wanderers v Intake, Carleton v Grindleton, Cononley Sports v Grassington United, Embsay v Cross Hills, Skipton Bulldogs v Keighley Lifts, Skipton LMS v Oxenhope Recreation.

Division One: Bradley v Bronte Wanderers, Cowling v Embsay Reserves, Lothersdale Ath v Horton, Oxenhope Rec Res v Skipton Town, Waddington v Colne Shepherds.

Division Two: Cross Hills Res v Gargrave, Grindleton Res v Chatburn, Ingleton v Skipton LMS Res, Intake Res v Barrowford Un, Keighley Lifts Res v Skipton Bulldogs Res, McBrides v Silsden Ath.

Division Three: Earby v Bradley Res, Grassington Res v Cowling Res, Gargrave Res v Earby Town Res, Hellifield Sp Res v Skipton Town Res, Pendle Ath v Waddington Res.

First round matches were played in The Devonshire Carpets League Cup competitions last Saturday, with some interesting results.

In the Premier section, holders Oxenhope Recreation crashed out to Bronte Wanderers 1-0, thus ensuring a new name on the trophy this season. Grassington United were successful at home against Carleton 3-0 and Keighley Lifts won their home tie with Cononley Sports 4-2.

The Division One match between Bradley and Oxenhope Reserves was called off because Oxenhope Reserves not having enough players, Cowling had a 5-3 home victory over Bronte Wanderers Reserves and Colne Shepherds coasted home 7-1 at Skipton Town.

Division Two holders Barrowford United had a 2-0 success over Keighley Lifts Reserves to stay interested in the competition, Skipton LMS Reserves were coasting home when they led Chatburn 5-0 at the interval, but ended hanging on as Chatburn rattled in four goals in the second-half to lose 5-4. Skipton Bulldogs Reserves defeated Grindleton Reserves 7-4 to move into Round Two.

There was only one match in Division Three, with Pendle Athletic being successful against neighbours Earby by 3-1.

League matches saw Embsay move into second place in the Premier Division by virtue of defeating Intake 1-0, Lothersdale Athletic increased their lead at the top of Division One with a 7-1 victory at Horton and Embsay Reserves moved into second place after defeating Waddington 6-2.

In Division Three, Cononley Reserves overtook Grassington Res at the top by winning 6-3 at home to Cononley Reserves and Bradley Reserves kept up their promotion push with a 2-0 victory at Earby Town.