Keighley LIFTS have already given notice they are strong challengers for the Premier title this season - and Saturday's result confirmed their ambition.
They swept to an 8-2 victory over Intake after a close first half. Both sides played some great football and the defences coped well with early chances but goals from Daniel Moriarty and Steven Davies gave lifts a 2-0 interval lead.
They tore into Intake's defence in the second half with goals coming at regular intervals. Moriarty made it three and Jimmy Jackson scored a fourth, but Intake were not going to fold.
They took advantage of Lifts attacking policy and scored a couple themselves only to see Moriarty complete his hat-trick. Steve Davies added a second and goals from David McManus and David Hannam wrapped it up. Intake added a fourth and Lifts goalkeeper Jason Moore saved a penalty -- if it's attacking football you want Lifts is the team to watch.
Oxenhope, who are leaders of the Premier Division travelled to bottom club Grindleton and took the points at a canter. Attacking from the opening whistle they scored a well worked goal through Simon Knaggs to set the ball rolling.
The home defences were under extreme pressure and conceded two more before half time through David collier and Shaun Bonner.
Grindleton pulled one back but the Worth Valley side were in no mood to let anything slip and they continued to dominate. Chris Day made it four and Steve Murray got into the act with a good goal. Collier, from the penalty spot, and Day rounded things of.
Bronte Wanderers entertained Embsay as they continued to search for their first victory and Sarfraz Sulzar opened the scoring. The goal spurred Embsay into the attack and they hit back with a quick equaliser, Bronte regained the lead on half time when Rye Bailey got onto the end of a long clearance from Shaun Binns in goal and coolly slotted the ball home.
Embsay equalised from the penalty spot early in the second half and Bronte had it all to do again. Late in the game Moses Manjang headed home a corner to secure all three points.
Cross Hills entertained Carleton and came away with maximum points. Both sides struggled in a scrappy first half. Carleton scored first but then gifted goals to Cross Hills and were 3-1 down at the break. The second half saw Cross Hills quickly make it four and a terrible blunder by the Carleton keeper gave them a fifth.
Carleton defended a little better for the rest of the match and managed a second goal, but Cross Hills always deserved the points. Scorers were B Dewhurst (3), R Smith and S Holden.
In Division One Bronte Reserves met Embsay Reserves and like their first teams it was a close match. Bronte looked the better side from the start but Embsay stuck to their task and scored first but Bronte quickly put things right with an equaliser from Edward Waterhouse.
Bronte were again on top in the second half but chances were wasted and Embsay regained their lead against the run of play, this time there was no way back for Bronte despite a lot of effort.
Oxenhope Reserves entertained Hellifield sports and were looking to bounce back after their heavy defeat the previous week. They looked lively in the opening half and took advantage of a hesitant Hellifield defence to score through Duncan Tetley but the visitors soon drew level and looked like getting onto until Tetley restored Oxenhope's lead.
Both defences were on top in the second half and chances were wasted allowing Oxenhope to take the points.
Keighley Lifts reserves met Division Two leaders Intake Reserves with honours remaining even after a tight match. The Lancashire side were on top early in the game but once Lifts settled they looked comfortable and took the lead early in the second half through a Stephen Duff volley.
Their lead did not last long as Intake drilled home through a crowded penalty area when they failed to clear a corner. Chances were few and the 1-1 draw was a fair result.
Silsden Athletic enjoyed a good second half against Skipton Bulldogs Reserves after they had been locked 1-1 at the break. Athletic wasted a string of early chances but put things right with six goals in the second half. Silsden scorers were Shaun Whittaker (3), Keith Spence 92), Thomas Clarke and Chris Fowler.
Cross Hills Reserves visited Chatburn and were never in the hunt as they home side ran out 7-0 winners. Hills could not cope with the pace of the home side who could have had more but for a string of wasted chances.
n The referee shortage will hit hard this week as many officials are involved in District Cup matches. Any referees wanting a game please contact the league chairman Mr G Aldersley on 01282-813407.
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