Cromer Town 3 Stalham Town 0

Cromer attentions turned to the Norfolk Senior Cup on Saturday and their road to a potential Carrow Road final began with a fixture against Division One side Stalham Town.

The Crabs welcomed Andy Jackson and Dale Wilton back into the starting line-up.

The hosts made a quick start and in the second minute Wilton pounced on the short back pass and rounded Nicholls in the Stalham goal. The winger was forced wide and wasn't able to make the desired connection and saw his shot cleared off the line.

Cromer did take the lead a moment later when Claudio Langlois made a good run and squared to the back post where Matthew Eves came in and fired home first time.

The Premier Division side doubled their lead in the seventh minute after some determined work from Ben Furlong and Eves eventually saw the ball break to Dave Matthews to slot home from inside the box.

On 21 minutes Matthews turned smartly and then played a through ball for Langlois whose shot was well saved by Nicholls. Furlong then struck just wide from 25 yards.

Before the break the visitors created a couple of chances of their own in an attempt to try and get back into the game. Laurence Cheese got on the end of a ball between the Cromer full back and centre half and rounded the onrushing Jackson but with an open goal beckoning the ball ran wide. In the 45th minute Cheese was again the danger when he was gifted possession but he again slid the ball wide.

It was all Cromer again at the start of the second period. Langlois once again received the ball at his feet and laid it inside to Liam Landamore whose first time left foot strike forced a fine one handed save from Nicholls. A similar situation rose once again with Landamore getting the ball from Langlois but the Crabs' midfielder saw this effort blocked.

Just before the hour mark the hosts were awarded a penalty. Shaun Cameron made a run from defence and then passed to Furlong who weaved his way into the box before being upended. Matthews stepped up and put the spot kick wide.

Despite missing the opportunity to grab a third goal it was soon 3-0. Matthews nicked the ball back and played it through to Langlois who closed on goal and squared it to Wilton who had a simple tap in.

There was more than a hint of fortune as Wilton seemed to be in an offside position but the linesman's flag stayed down.

Stalham weren't going to go away without a fight and threatened to grab a consolation. Patterson controlled a cross to the back post before Jackson saved his shot. Then another ball into the box was missed by Jackson and went to Meale who somehow headed over when it seemed easier to score.

The home side looked to confirm their dominance by adding to their lead before the final whistle. Liam Davies found himself six yards out but blasted straight at the keeper and then Nicholls was again called upon to deny Antoni Fawkes.

It was a comfortable victory for Cromer and on another day they could have scored more than three – but the visitors may also have got themselves on the score sheet. The Crabs now go into Friday's draw for the fourth round to find out who there opponents will be at the end of November.

The match was sponsored by Brian and Jean Herriott.

Cromer: Jackson, Davies, Applegate, Cameron, S. Jordan (M. Jordan), Landamore, Wilton, Furlong, Matthews, Langlois (Fawkes), Eves (Freemantle). Subs Not Used: Groves, Harwood.

In a change to the original fixture Cromer will now host local rivals North Walsham Town this Saturday (2.30pm).

n Cromer Town will be holding an EGM at Cabbell Park, on Thursday, November 8, to discuss their Charter Standard application. The meeting will start at 7pm and all members are welcome to attend.