PLAYERS were able to run off some of the Christmas and New Year excess as football at last got back underway with the number of matches which went ahead exceeding those which were postponed.

However the top match in the Premier Division, Cross Hills v Skipton Bulldogs, fell victim to a waterlogged pitch, so the chasing pack had an opportunity to close the gap in the Craven League.

Oxenhope Recreation opened the scoring against Embsay in the first minute through Ben White, the youngest player on the field. After that defences got on top and clear chances were few and far between.

Both teams contrived to play good football and the second half saw the same end to end play with Oxenhope thwarted more than once by the Embsay keeper who pulled off some good saves. Oxenhope looked like hanging on to both points until the closing seconds when a bizarre goal gave Embsay a draw.

Keighley Lifts entertained Grassington United with both teams looking for points to move out of the bottom three. Heavy conditions meant that good football was out of the question, but both teams tried hard. Grassington missed a penalty in the early stages and Lifts began to get on top and took the lead, adding a second just before half time.

Grassington then had to push forward to save the game and were rewarded with a good goal. Lifts had goalkeeper Heath Maddocks to than as they were pushed back into defence and held out for victory.

There was a high scoring game in Division One at Bradley where the home side entertained Cowling. The visitors started slowly and were soon two goals down, but they gradually got their act together and Liam Marsh headed home from close range. The goal was quickly followed by an equaliser from James Anson. Later he was brought down in the box and Mark Ferguson slotted home from the spot.

Cowling's lead was short-lived as Bradley drew level almost immediately. The second half was packed with end to end action, James Anson restoring cowling's lead before Bradley again drew level.

The South Craven side's luck ran out when they missed a couple of chances then conceded two soft goals.

Keighley Lifts travelled to Hellifield and despite a good fight back from 5-1 down just could not get the extra goal to bring a share of the points. Hellifield dominated the early stages and only some excellent saves from Andrew Shutt denied the North Craven outfit, eventually they made the breakthrough just before half time. They wet on to make it 3-0 before Lifts replied with a penalty.

Two more Hellifield goals seemed to seal the Keighley side's fate, but they lifted their game and ran in three more goals in a storming finish, but Hellifield just hung on.

In Division Two Lothersdale Athletic travelled to Horton looking for a double over the club the defeated a couple of weeks ago and although it was not as easy as last time they kept their promotion bid on course. Horton started the better team and took a two goal lead but Dale's leading scorer, Mark Westfall, pulled a goal back and John Baker slotted an equaliser on half time.

Dale clicked into top gear after the re-start and dazzled the home side with some fast flowing football. Westfall secured the lead and Andrew Keslinke made sure of both points with a decisive goal.

Oxenhope Recreation Reserves had a long journey to Grindleton but found the trip worthwhile, coming back with a 2-0 victory. A heavy pitch made it hard work for both teams and the goals were scored in the second period with Gavin Ford and Jonathan Hargreaves on target.

Silsden Athletic entertained Bradley FC Reserves on a mud-bath pitch and Bradley just shaded the first period, taking a 2-1 lead. Two goals early in the second half restored Silsden's early lead, but Bradley stepped up a gear and took an 8-3 lead with a flurry of goals.

Silsden were shell-shocked but stuck manfully to their task, finally scoring a fourth goal. Silsden scorers were Jamie Cunningham (2), Carl Bartley and Gary Reece.