Kirkley & Pakefield Res 0 Cromer Town 3

Cromer made the long trip to Kirkley and Pakefield Reserves in their penultimate away trip of the season.

Dale Wilton returned to the side following illness and Darren Terrington made his first senior start for 18 months following his return from injury, and captained the side with Karl Horton absent due to a hamstring injury.

The Crabs grabbed two quick goals around the quarter of an hour mark to take control. Matthew Jordan played the ball into Matthew Eves who played a one two with Terrington, Eves then dinked the ball across goal for Simon Freemantle to head home.

In the next attack the ball was thrown to Simon Durrant who made a smart exchange with Freemantle before smartly toe-poking the ball past the Kirkley keeper.

On 21 minutes Craig Terrington put in the perfect cross and picked out the unmarked Shaun Cameron who from about six yards somehow put his header wide. Minutes later Cromer grabbed a third. Freemantle played the ball into the run of Eves who put it over for Wilton who fired home with a smart first-time finish.

The Crabs continued to press for the remainder of the half and could have added to their advantage. Darren Terrington and Eves linked up well with the later being denied by Attridge. Then from a corner Terrington glanced the ball on at the near post and seemed to have gone over the line before being cleared away but to the dismay of the Cromer players no goal was given.

With the hard work seemingly done Cromer did seem to drop off early in the second half and the game was much more even. The hosts had a chance to get a goal back early after the restart but Grint's well struck shot was pushed away by Jackson.

On the hour mark Cromer felt they should have had penalty when Wilton's standing leg seemed to be taken from under him following a sliding challenge but the appeals were waved away. .

In the 81st minute Wilton made an excellent run down the right and pulled the ball back for Sam Applegate but he was unable to beat the Kirkley keeper.

A couple more chances went the way of the hosts as they looked to grab some kind of consolation. From a corner the ball dropped to Meeken whose volley was saved by Jackson. Then Grint again had an opportunity but he fired harmlessly wide.

Cromer: Jackson, M. Jordan (Davison), C. Terrington, Cameron (Cullington), S. Jordan, Eves, Wilton, Durrant, D. Terrington, Freemantle, Applegate. Subs Not Used: Horton.

Wroxham Reserves 1 Cromer Town 1

The Crabs made the trip to Trafford Park to face Wroxham Reserves in yet another midweek fixturee. Once again changes were aplenty for manager Chris Wigger, Matthew and Steve Jordan both returning to the side in place of Harwood and Bradshaw. Craig Terrington, Simon Freemantle and Simon Durrant also made starts with Davies (unavailable), Wilton (ill) and Fawkes (suspended).

After conceding some early possession Cromer began to grab control of the game and were able to get into some good positions. Shaun Cameron headed a ball into the box down to Dave Matthews and the Cromer striker then powered his way past the defender but fired over. Matthews then turned provider flicking the ball on to strike partner Durrant but his first time strike was well saved by Sutton.

The Crabs took a deserved lead on 38 minutes when a determined run from Freemantle saw him beat three players and the ball then ran for Durrant who coolly finished with his left foot.

Cromer came very close to extending their lead before half-time when Karl Horton's corner found Durrant whose header beat the keeper but was cleared off the line by the defender on the post.

The hosts made the ideal start to the second half, equalising just three minutes in when some sloppiness at the back resulted in the ball falling at the feet of Jamie George who made no mistake from close range.

Almost immediately following the goal the game resembled a basketball game with the end-to-end nature it took on but neither side could find a winner.

In the 85th minute Eves played a superb diagonal ball into Durrant who closed on goal and lifted the ball over the goalkeeper but to the Crabs' despair the ball bounced wide. The game ended 1-1, a massive dent inflicted to the Crabs' title chase.

Cromer: Jackson, M Jordan, Applegate, Cameron, S. Jordan, Eves, Freemantle (D. Terrington), Horton (Davison), Matthews, Durrant, C Terrington (Cullington).

Kirkley & Pakefield Reserves 0 Cromer Town 3

Cromer made the long trip to Suffolk to face Kirkley and Pakefield Reserves in their penultimate away trip of the season. Dale Wilton returned to the side following illness and Darren Terrington made his first senior start for 18 months following his return from injury, and captained the side with Karl Horton absent due to a hamstring injury.

The Crabs did concede an early opportunity when Mikey Tacon who forced an early save from Andy Jackson chased down a ball over the top. Then at the other end a cross ran to Wilton at the back post who volleyed back over his shoulder and forced a save from Attridge.

Cromer grabbed to quick goals around the quarter of an hour mark. Matthew Jordan played the ball into Matthews Eves who then played a one two with Terrington, Eves then dinked the ball across goal for Simon Freemantle to head home at the near post.

In the next attack the ball was thrown to Simon Durrant who then made a smart exchange with Freemantle before smartly toe poking the ball past the Kirkley keeper.

On 21 minutes Craig Terrington put in the perfect cross and picked out the unmarked Shaun Cameron who from about six yards somehow put his header wide. Minutes later Cromer grabbed a third. Freemantle played the ball into the run of Eves who then put it over for Wilton who then fired home with a smart first time finish.

The Crabs continued to press for the remainder of the half and could have added to their advantage. Darren Terrington and Eves linked up well with the later being denied by Attridge. Then from a corner Terrington glanced the ball on at the near post and seemed to have gone over the line before being cleared away but to the dismay of the Cromer players no goal was given. On 37 minutes Craig Terrington's curling left foot free kick forced a low, diving save from Attridge.

With the hard work seemingly done Cromer did seem to drop off early in the second half and the game was much more even. The hosts had a chance to get a goal back early after the restart but Grint's well struck shot was pushed away by Jackson.

On the hour mark Cromer felt they should have had penalty when Wilton's standing leg seemed to be taken from under him following a sliding challenge but the appeals were waved away. Shortly after the ball was played into the box for Durrant but Attridge saved with his feet.

On 65 minutes Kirkley broke quickly and a cross picked out Kaden Goldspink at the back post but his header went over the bar. The home side then won back possession in the middle of the pitch and played Grint through but failed to score with the outside of his boot.

In the 81st minute Wilton made an excellent run down the right and pulled the ball back for Sam Applegate on the edge of the box but he was unable to beat the Kirkley keeper.

A couple more chances went the way of the hosts as they looked to grab some kind of consolation. From a corner the ball dropped to Meeken whose volley was saved by Jackson. Then soon after Grint again had an opportunity but he fired harmlessly wide.

The Crabs clean sheet remained intact and they returned to North Norfolk with all three points.

The victory assured they stay in pole position to take second place and they will hope for wins in their remaining fixtures to ensure they remain there and also able to take advantage of an unlikely Acle slip up.

Kirkley team: Attrigde, Grint, Armes, Blowers, French, Hunton, Sannerude, Meeken, Tacon, Twamlow, Bell. Subs: Boggis, Goldspick, Robert.

Cromer team: Jackson, M. Jordan (Davison), C. Terrington, Cameron (Cullington), S. Jordan, Eves, Wilton, Durrant, D. Terrington, Freemantle, Applegate. Subs Not Used: Horton.

Richard Cox