North Walsham 0 Cromer 3

Cromer Town moved three points clear at the top of the Anglian Combination Premier Division with a win at neighbours North Walsham, who dropped into the relegation zone as a result.

Cromer fielded the same side that had beaten Wroxham Reserves. The only change saw Craig Terrington come in on the bench, having completed his transfer on Friday night.

The hosts had the first chance when Connor Kerry drifted inside and fired goalwards but it was a comfortable save for Nathan Pauling.

In the 17th minute Cromer had their first meaningful attack and this saw them take the lead. Some determined work from Liam Davies in the left hand corner saw him keep possession despite the efforts of three Walsham defenders. He was able to turn back inside and then lay the ball to Matthew Eves. The Crabs winger then delivered a low cross into the feet of Antoni Fawkes, whose clever first touch took the ball away from the keeper and he then fired back across goal to continue his fine run of form.

Aside from these two efforts it was a fairly tame first half which offered little else to talk about apart from a couple of dubious yellow cards.

Following the half-time break North Walsham were dispossessed straight from kick-off and Scott Woodcock picked up the loose ball, ran past the defender but put his left foot effort narrowly wide.

In the 52nd minute Cromer did double their lead. Woodcock won the ball and then played it inside to Fawkes who made a strong run towards goal and then fired past Munday in the North Walsham goal. A few minutes later Cromer grabbed a third to put the game beyond doubt when the returning Terrington, with almost his first touch, stepped up to score a free- kick from 20 yards.

Before the restart the home side were reduced to 10 men when Ben Atkins was shown a straight red card for dissent.

Having a man sent off made the task of trying to back into the game even harder, and the Angels never threatened to do so. It turned out to be a very comfortable afternoon for the Crabs. The crucial three points for the reigning champions help them increased their advantage at the top of the table, with Blofield and Acle sharing the points in their clash.

North Walsham: Munday, Grand, B. Atkins, Marsh, Tindall, Scannell, Kelly, Davison, M. Atkins, Davies, Kerry. Subs: P. Payne, Davis, L. Payne.

Cromer: Pauling, Harwood (Winterbone), Groves (Terrington), Davies, Bradshaw, Landamore, Wilton, Horton, Woodcock, Fawkes, Eves (Farrow)

Saturday sees the first of three successive home games with St. Andrews coming to Cabbell Park. Meanwhile North Walsham are at home to Beccles.