Craven Football League

Division Four League Cup Final

Sutton 5 Grassington 0

Sutton duly completed the league and cup double with this victory watched by a large crowd at Skipton Town last Wednesday.

They were always going to be too big and strong for the young Grassington side who could not cope with the more robust tactics of the league champions - that four Sutton players were booked gives some idea of their hard approach to the match.

The South Craveners attacked from the start but Grassington's defence held firm and they occasionally broke out of defence.

The opening goal came after 20 minutes when in a defensive mix-up Daniel Newton poked the ball home from close range. And a second goal came minutes later again following a mistake by the Grassington defence, Stephen Hargreaves finishing off a good move.

Grassington came more into the game forcing several corners and a good save from Sutton keeper Ian Banks, but the elusive goal would not come, and the match was virtually sealed just before the break when Sutton were awarded a free kick outside the penalty area when everyone felt it should have gone Grassington's way, and it was converted by Newton.

The second half saw Grassington defending and restricting Sutton to two further goals, Gary Hanson adding a fourth and Newton completing his hat trick. Grassington tried hard but it was not to be their night and at least they battled to the end and cannot be ashamed of their performance.

The cup and individual mementoes were presented by Skipton Town treasurer Dennis Mayman.

In the Division One League Cup Final at Rolls-Royce on Wednesday Rimington beat Intake 5-2. There will be a full report and pictures next week.

Skipton Bulldogs on for the treble, Hellifield clinch the Division Two title and Grassington relegated to Division Two - those were the issues resolved as a result of midweek and weekend matches.

Bulldogs after reaching the Craven Association Craven Challenge Cup Final by defeating Embsay met them again on Saturday and drew 3-3 in the Skipton Building Society Premier Division but paid a high price when they lost their keeper with a serious knee injury.

However they reached the Premier League Cup Final with a comprehensive 5-0 defeat of Cross Hills in their semi-final on Monday and now with two cup finals and five league matches left will it all prove too much or will their efforts bring the ultimate reward for a season's work?

Hellifield duly clinched the Division Two title in fine style defeating Bronte Wanderers 4-0 on Saturday to gain the points they needed for promotion and rounding off their season with an 8-1 victory over Eastburn Rangers on Tuesday to take the title, a large crowd seeing the league trophy presented to captain Ian Gray.

Division One's Grassington will take their place in Division Two next season. They put up a valiant fight against Silsden but went down 3-1 and as Carleton defeated Gargrave 1-0 it was relegation for the Dalesmen.

Silsden took a giant step towards the Division One title with three victories, defeating Grassington and Carleton twice 7-1 and 4-0. They now have two matches left with the decider against Rimington this Saturday, a match both teams must win to take the title although Rimington still have four matches left.

Rimington reached their second cup final of the season when they defeated Addingham 3-2 in a cracking Northern Plant Hire Challenge Trophy Semi-Final on Saturday and will now meet Cononley in the final on Tuesday, May 5, at Gargrave, ko 6.30pm.

In the Division Three League Cup Addingham reached the final, defeating Cowling in their semi-final 3-1 after extra time and they will meet Skipton LMS, who beat Skipton Bulldogs 2-1 in their semi on Wednesday, in the final next Wednesday at Gargrave, ko 6.30pm.

The Division Two League Cup Semi-Finals are this Saturday at the grounds of the first named clubs. Haworth by virtue of defeating Embsay 3-1 on Saturday will meet Barrowford who had already qualified while West Bradford will meet Barnoldswick United who reached the semis on Tuesday by defeating Wharfedale Gate 4-0. The final is next Thursday at Skipton Town, ko 6.30pm.

In Division Two on Saturday West Bradford beat nine-man Wharfedale Gate 19-0.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.