For the second pre-season running Cromer Town entered the Sailor Brown Memorial Tournament at Emerald Park, the home of Gorleston. This year saw an additional sixth team added to the equation, meaning each team would play five group games of 25 minutes.

The entrants along with the Crabs were hosts Gorleston, Waveney Athletic, Corton, Great Yarmouth Town and Woodbridge Athletic. There was a slight twist to the usual points scoring system with two points awarded for a score draw and one for a no score draw, plus the usual three points for a win.

The Cromer side, who included a few new faces, began their tournament with a 1-1 draw against Woodbridge Athletic. This was then followed by three successive victories over Great Yarmouth Town, Corton and Waveney Athletic. These results put the Crabs into a very strong position going into their final game and they just need to avoid defeat to book their place in the final. Meanwhile opponents Gorleston needed all three points to ensure they went through to face Woodbridge. Gorleston took an early lead in the game but were be denied a place when Cromer equalised through Dave Matthews.

Cromer faced Woodbridge Athletic in the final. The game started off with both sides noticeably showing the effects of a long, tiring day of football. It was then Cromer who took the game by the scruff of the neck and they took the lead through Dale Wilton. The Cromer winger added a second moments before the final whistle to cap off a good day for the Crabs.

Unbeaten throughout the tournament, some good football played, new systems experimented with and the new faces seemingly bedding in well, it was a productive day for the Cromer management.

Cromer entertain Reffley Royals on Saturday (2.30pm) in their final friendly before they face Blofield United in the Don Frost on Monday, August 13 at Trafford Park, Wroxham. 7.15pm.