EVER wondered what is the difference in strength between the divisions in the Mastab's Craven League?

The Northern Plant Hire Trophy should be a good indicator.

Wilsden Athletic's second-round 7-1 victory at Bradley in a battle between the tenth-placed clubs in the Premier Division and Division One suggests the gap is large.

However, the fact that Skipton LMS only won 3-2 at Pendle Renegades in a meeting of sixth-placed clubs in those divisions indicates that the margin may be smaller than that.

Top-flight class certainly told at Bradley as James Halliday (2), Jack Lancaster, Jordan Woolsey, Alex Lancaster, Joel Hardy and James Whitaker netted for Wilsden, with Jordan Blackburn registering the solitary response.

Meanwhile, a penalty from Dom Creed was Silsden Whitestars’ only reward in their 3-1 defeat at AFC Colne in an all-Division One tie where the fifth-placed hosts overcame their third-placed visitors, who had Andy Kay sent off. Andy McNulty was Whitestars' man of the match.

There was no joy either for Oxenhope Recreation, the Division One visitors going down 4-1 to Premier Division Settle United in a battle of fourth-placed clubs.

The underdogs put up a spirited display and trailed by just a single goal at the break. Early in the second half, Oxenhope had Settle rattled as they dominated play, and their pressure was rewarded when they equalised through Liam Dyson.

Chances continued to come at both ends but it was the home side that regained the advantage on 70 minutes when a cross was dropped by keeper Grahame Ellis in a crowded penalty area and the Settle striker punished the error.

The visitors pressed for the equaliser but as they drove forwards, Settle seized two late breakaway goals to give an unfair bias to the scoreline.

Nivard Trowers was Oxenhope's man of the match, and they make the same long journey on Saturday – but this time to face Settle United Reserves in a Craven League Cup fixture (1.30).

Ryan Jennings picked up the gong for Division One Bingley Town, who were on the wrong end of an upset as Division Two visitors Manningham All Stars won 3-1 in a contest between seventh-placed clubs. Brannan Lawn netted for Town.

Hosts FC Polonia are going well in Division Two but they were no match for Division One Skipton Town, who won 5-2.

Artur Laszczkowski and Damien Swies were on target for Polonia, whose man of the match was Birdstaw Bak.

One team that did cash in on their divisional superiority, however, were Sporting Keighley, who trounced minnows Barlick Wanderers 12-0 at Marley Stadium.

Aaran Abbas was an easy choice as man of the match by scoring six, taking his tally in the last five matches to 17, which have included four hat-tricks (two against Wanderers).

He now has 24 goals for the season, having scored in nine straight matches after suffering an opening-day blank.

Making up the tally against Barlick were Shazaib Hussain and Mohammed Zohaib, with two each, Zain Abbas and Aatir Shezad.

There were some league matches in Division Three, and Thabani Songo-inspired Cowling Reserves notched the shock result, the seventh-placed visitors winning 4-2 at fourth-placed Skipton Town Reserves.

Ingrow & Worth Valley Reserves went down 5-2 at home to promotion-chasing Pendle Renegades Reserves, Mateka Joseph Nkome again doing best for the Keighley hosts,

He scored one of their goals, Robbie Davison getting the other as Ingrow mistakes were again punished.

Home veteran Dave Harman said: “It seems to be errors in the last few games that have let us down.

“We were the better team in the first half but still could not take advantage and get any rhythm going.

“In the second half, we started well but fell behind yet again and in the end we were chasing the game, and more mistakes let Pendle take advantage.”

Matthew Bolton struck the consolation goal as Sutton suffered a 6-1 defeat at home to Addingham, Danny Waterfield getting the losers' man of the match award.