SILSDEN Whitestar returned to Craven League Premier Division action for the first time in three weeks with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Carleton Sports Club.

Chris Wademan continued his excellent form with a brace, with James Wilson also finding the back of the net for the hosts, though their afternoon was dampened by a James Hitch red card.

The win sees Whitestar keep the pressure on table-toppers AFC Barnoldswick, who won 4-2 at Bingley Town thanks to a Callum Thomas double, while the only other match in the division saw Trawden Celtic Juniors comprehensively beat Cononley Sports Club First 5-1.

In Division One, iPlay put Baildon Trinity Athletic to the sword, winning 5-1 after doubles from Tyler McGladdery and Jamie McAuley, with a Nathan Galloway brace also helping Chatburn claim the points at winless Grassington United Reserves.

The pick of the Division Two fixtures saw Cowling Reserves and Barnoldswick Barons Senior Open Age play out an 11-goal thriller at Steeton’s Summerhill Lane.

Ben Speak’s brace, alongside goals from Owen Pearson, Tom Cleaver, Matt Blackwell and substitute Dan Hughes, eventually sealed a 6-5 victory for the visitors.

Elsewhere in the division, Brett Doogan’s second-half goal helped leaders Padiham FC Juniors to a 1-0 win at Bradley, while third-placed Hellifield Sports were beaten 3-2 by Barlick Wanderers.

Crosshills Reserves were also victorious after holding off a second-half comeback from Skipton Town Reserves to win 3-2.

FC Keighley United remain at the Division Three summit after a Tyler Brigg hat-trick helped them beat Weston Lane Juniors 4-2, with Settle United Reserves just two points behind after division top scorer Mark Loughlin’s hat-trick saw them edge out Sutton Reserves 3-2.

There were plenty of goals throughout the division, with George Bainbridge’s brace helping AFC Crossleys Reserves beat Rolls Reserves 5-2, and Addingham Reserves also winning against Carleton Sports Club 2nds by the same scoreline.

Craven League sides were also in League Cup action at the weekend, with AFC Crossleys in inspired form as they thrashed Ingleton 5-2, with Tom Kershaw, Ashton Lewis, Lewis Oldridge, Kaylum Moran Payne, and substitute Sam Cole all finding the back of the net.

Cameron Brehony’s goal was enough for Otley Town 3rds to secure progression in the Division Two Cup at home to Grindleton, however, their fourth side were comfortably beaten by Cononley Sports Club 2nds in the Division Three Cup.