Sheringham 0 Cromer Town 5

Cromer finally played their first league fixture of 2013 when they travelled along the coast to Sheringham. There were two changes from the side that had progressed in the Norfolk Senior Cup last time out with Nathan Pauling replacing Andy Jackson (holiday) in goal and Matthew Jordan coming in at right back for the injured David Harwood.

The Crabs looked rusty in the opening minutes and allowed the hosts to have a couple of early opportunities. The ball was played through to Harry Maddison who had a bit of space but he lacked composure and lashed the ball high and wide. Then former Crab Ben Furlong dispossessed Liam Davies before playing the ball into the path of Jonathon Abbs who probably should have given his side the lead but he slid the ball wide of the post.

In the 15th minute Cromer had their first attack and this resulted in them taking the lead. Sam Applegate played an excellent ball over to Antoni Fawkes who closed in on Grant Youngs in the Sheringham goal. Fawkes knocked the ball round Youngs but was then brought down by the keeper who left the referee with no option but to award a penalty and show him a straight red card. Brendan Burke then took over duties with the gloves and his first action was to pick the ball out of the back of the net as Dale Wilton stepped up to score from 12 yards.

Despite being down to ten men Sheringham did have a spell of possession but failed to cause too many problems. Cromer did start to play with more conviction and confidence and looked like they would make it a long night for their neighbours.

Karl Horton played the ball inside into the path of Applegate's forward run, he then played a one two with Liam Landamore and Applegate was through on goal but stand in keeper Burke came out quickly to close the angle.

Then Fawkes turned his marker and ran down the right hand channel before delivering a low cross for Dave Matthews. He controlled well but his shot was just off target.

Shortly after it became 2-0. A forward ball picked out Fawkes who with his back to goal held the ball up well waiting for some support. Horton obliged and Fawkes laid the ball back to the Cromer midfielder who found the back of the net from the edge of the box with his left foot strike.

Almost immediately the visitors grabbed a third. Matthews picked up possession around the halfway line and made a powerful, driving run towards the Sheringham goal. He shrugged off a couple of challenges before squaring the ball to Matthew Eves who fired home first time.

Similar service resumed after the break. Eves' cross picked out Shaun Cameron whose header went straight at Burke. Then Fawkes nipped in but got his lobbed effort wrong.

On 70 minutes Matthew Jordan played the ball into the run of Fawkes who put the ball round the corner to Wilton, but he smashed his shot wide. In the next attack the Crabs made it 4-0. Matthews knocked the ball down into the path of Landamore who then played it into Fawkes who made no mistake from close range.

Cromer weren't happy with just four and looked to improve their goal difference and they grabbed a fifth in the 86th minute with the pick of the bunch. Eves cut in from the left wing and then from 30 yards unleashed a superb strike that rifled straight into the top right corner, a strike that would have left most goalkeepers with very little chance.

This was a comprehensive victory for the Crabs who shook off some early rustiness to play some fine football and it was the perfect game to get them going again after nearly two months without a league fixture.

Sheringham: Youngs, Miller, Patterson, Maxey, Cox, Amis, Burke, Watson, Maddison, Furlong, Abbs. Subs: McIlwrath, Norris, Mallet.

Cromer: Pauling, M. Jordan, Applegate, Davies (S. Jordan), Cameron, Landamore, Wilton, Horton, Matthews (Durrant), Fawkes, Eves (C. Terrington)

n Due to the continuing issues with Cabbell Park Cromer's home clash with Kirkley & Pakefield Reserves on Saturday will take place at the home of Sheringham FC (2.30pm).

The club are awaiting a response from a company regarding sorting out the drainage issue but with no idea on the timeline for any solution at present the Crabs are doing all they can to make sure the fixtures are completed as scheduled.