LOTHERSDALE sprung the surprise of the first round of the Northern Plant Hire Challenge Trophy with a 6-2 victory over Cononley.

The Division Two side turned on a spectacular second half performance to trounce the Premier Division outfit, but Cononley were on top in the first half with the first goal coming from Tony Longworth. They should have added more but Dale hung on until the closing minutes of the half when Johnny Lawrence equalised.

The second half saw a complete about turn of fortunes as David Bennett chipped the Cononley keeper to put Dale 2-1 up. John Baker made it three and Mark Westfall took the score to four - all within 10 minutes of the restart.

Shell-shocked Cononley pulled a goal back through Tony Longworth only to see Phillip Richardson make it 5-2 and Baker hammered home the sixth as they totally dominated the final period.

Cross Hills had a much simpler task against Division One side Intake, coasting home to a 7-0 victory. Hills were in charge from the kick-off with the first goal coming from a John Harrison flick back to Harry Peacock who buried the ball in the back of the net. A 25-yard shot from Peacock made it 2-0 and although Intake tried hard they lacked ideas up front to break the Cross Hills defence.

Peacock completed his hat-trick in the second half with a delightful chip, Robert Smith scored from a corner and in the closing stages Peacock added two more to bring his tally to five with Nicholas Shaw adding the seventh. Mr Lonsdale, the stand-in referee, had little trouble keeping control of a sporting match.

Keighley Lifts travelled to Sutton and lived up to expectations with a 5-2 victory on the small pitch.

Lifts opened the scoring with a good header from Stephen Hall, converting the first corner of the match. Dave McManus beat the offside trap to add the second as Sutton struggled to try and stop the Lifts forwards. Steve Duff made it 3-0 by half time.

Sutton piled on the pressure at the start of the second period and scored when the Lifts keeper failed to collect a cross. The South Craven side had a glimmer of hope but Lifts raised their game and Dave McManus added a fourth. Sutton battled on adding a second goal but the mountain was too high and Andrew Scotland made it five. Sutton's scorers are not to hand.

There was a high scoring match at Silsden Athletic where the home side scored six, but still lost. Barrowford United hit the net 10 times in a game played at break-neck speed. Both sides were struggling for players, particularly in defence.

The Lancashire side was always in front but Silsden never gave up. It was 3-2 to Barrowford at the break and the teams exchanged goals in the second half until Barrowford pulled away Silsden's scorers were Shaun Whittaker (2), Jamie Cunningham (2), Damien Reece and Stuart Lidbury.

Cowling scraped home against Division Three side Earby despite an uninspiring performance from both teams. Rob Walker sealed the match for Cowling early in the game with a shot that just about trickled over the line.

Bronte Wanderers visited Skipton town and reached the second round with a 3-0 victory.

A handful of League matches were played with Oxenhope Recreation Reserves who were aided by several first team players as they rattled in nine goals against Bradley Reserves. A good solo goal by Steven Murray opened Oxenhope's account and Andrew Clements made it 2-0. Bradley pulled one back from the penalty spot, but Ben White made it 3-1 before half time.

In the second period it was one-way traffic with Oxenhope scoring six goals without reply. Andrew Clements brought his tally to four with strikes from Jonathan Coates and Richard Borsay bringing up the total.

Bronte Wanderers reserves defeated Skipton LMS Reserves, but again Bronte have not submitted a report, despite winning 5-1.