CRAVEN LEAGUE football is back with a bang, bringing goals galore in the first set of midweek and weekend fixtures.

With two wins from two, Silsden Whitestar are the early pace-setters in the Premier Division.

Chris Wademan and James Wilson continued their fine form from last season, netting two apiece as Sils ran riot in the second half to beat newly-promoted Baildon Trinity Athletic 5-2 on Monday evening.

They then followed that up with a 2-0 win on the road at fellow newcomers Trawden Celtic Juniors Reserves after Josh McNulty and substitute Liam Bonner found the back of the net after the break.

Cowling are hot on their heels, also getting their campaign off to a winning start after goals from Dan Kantas (x2), Chris Collier, and Stephen Schofield saw them to a 4-2 win at home to Cononley.

The division’s weekend fixtures saw Grassington United surrender a 1-0 half-time lead to draw 2-2 with AFC Crossleys, while goals from Toby Meynell and Tom Hunter saw Skipton Town get off the mark with a 2-1 win at home to Baildon.

The only midweek fixture in Division 1 saw Gargrave make a winning return to the division, a late penalty save from Harry McEneaney seeing them edge a five-goal thriller against Salts 3rds 3-2.

However, it’s Silsden Whitestar Reserves who lead the table after doubles from Brad Lee and Sam Stansfield saw them build on last weekend’s narrow victory against Bingley with a 4-2 win at Grindleton.

iPlay also made the short trip to Barnoldswick Barons Senior Open Age, where the sides played out an entertaining 3-3 draw.

Rolls Reserves started life in Division 2 in style on Wednesday evening with a 5-1 thrashing of Addingham.

Man of the match Callum Dickinson bagged a hat-trick, with further goals from Harrison Prenton and substitute Lewis Routledge adding more gloss to the scoreline.

Jacob Wroe also scored three of Hellifield Sports’ goals in their 5-2 win at home to Barlick Wanderers on Saturday, while second-placed Otley Town 3rds kept pace following a 4-0 win at AFC Crossleys Reserves.

In Division 3, four goals brought four different scorers for Cononley 2nds at Sutton Reserves, with Joe Gill, Dan Leeming, Dan Savoury, and Jordan Mower all on target on Wednesday evening.

Racing into an early lead, they then showed that same form on Saturday, three goals in 15 minutes from Will Beresford (x2) and Eddie Gill helping them defeat hosts Carleton Sports 2nds 3-2.

Sutton Reserves proved to be the division’s big scorers, building on a 3-1 half-time lead to put Otley Town 4ths to the sword.

Two of those goals came from Jack Sedgwick, who rounded off his hat-trick on the half-hour mark. Matt Grist was on target twice, with Theo Lloyd, Scott Russell, and Will Bestwick also finding the back of the net on an enjoyable afternoon for the men in yellow and black.

The only other match involved Colne United, newcomers after transferring from the East Lancashire League.

Andrew Ledgar’s brace had given the Lancastrians a narrow lead at the interval, but strikes from Steve Palmer and Charlie Smith saw hosts Addingham claim a share of the spoils, the match finishing 2-2.