Blofield United 2 Cromer Town 1

Cromer made the trip to Blofield in what was the biggest fixture of the season so far. The Crabs once again made changes with Jake McCabe and John Curtis replacing Jonny Davison and Simon Freemantle respectively. Shaun Cameron also returned from injury in place of Matthew Jordan.

It was the reigning champions who made the brighter start and threatened early on. Ben Furlong made a forward run and delivered a low cross into the box that found the sliding Antoni Fawkes who was unable to guide the ball into the back of the net from close range.

The hosts were somehow hanging on in the early stages and it looked only a matter of time until Cromer made the pressure count. The ball was put back into the danger area and Lloyd came out and flapped and it ran to Furlong who headed wide of the open goal.

Cromer's early dominance finally got the reward it deserved but it came in a fortunate manner when Furlong's corner to the near post area seemed an easy claim for the Blofield keeper but Lloyd's handling was poor and he dropped the ball and it crossed the goal line.

The reigning champions then had excellent chance to double their advantage. The ball was spread wide to Matthew Eves who laid the ball across to Curtis whose shot was only kept out by the foot of Lloyd.

The home side then began to look to make their own mark on the game and in the 35th minute Matt Banham's over-hit cross sailed over the head of Andy Jackson and came back off the cross bar.

Cromer then seemed to take their foot of the gas and this allowed the home side to have more of the ball and express themselves.

The equaliser that the home side had been threatening came just before half-time. A long ball forward went towards Damien Didwell who had got goal side and he coolly lifted the ball over Jackson.

In the opening minutes of the second half it was all about Blofield. Didwell again got into a goal scoring position but in a one on one situation he dragged the ball wide. On about the hour mark the hosts had the chance to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty when McCabe brought down McNicholas. There could be no complaints that it was a foul but there was some doubt whether the foul had occurred inside the box. Didwell stepped up and saw his effort from 12 yards saved but he was in pole position to react to the rebound and had a simple tap in to make it 2-1 to Blofield.

Cromer looked to make an immediate response. Fawkes bundled his way through challenges inside the box and the ball then ran to Liam Landamore who thrashed at it and skied it from eight yards.

It then reverted back to Blofield who could and possibly should have put the result beyond doubt with Didwell hitting the upright when he really should have scored. Cromer's only real chance to share the spoils came when Eves lifted the ball over the keeper but it went wide.

This was another disappointing display from Cromer and the management will be looking for a response on Saturday when they host Loddon United (2.30p.m.).

Cromer: Jackson, McCabe, Applegate, Cameron, S. Jordan, Landamore, Eves, Horton, Fawkes (Freemantle), Curtis, Furlong (Farrow). Subs Not Used: Davison.