Cromer Town 0, Norwich United 3IT was a very disappointing Norfolk Senior Cup semi-final day for Anglian Combination side Cromer who failed to penetrate a very well-organised defence of their Ridgeons Premier visitors, who were clinical in taking their early opportunities.

Cromer Town 0, Norwich United 3

IT was a very disappointing Norfolk Senior Cup semi-final day for Anglian Combination side Cromer who failed to penetrate a very well-organised defence of their Ridgeons Premier visitors, who were clinical in taking their early opportunities.

The scoreline was perhaps not a true reflection of the game but there can be no argument that Norwich United were deserving victors, writes Richard Cox.

Cromer turn back to the league, aiming for Sterry Cup glory. The top-six Crabs entertain leaders North Walsham on Saturday.

For the cup semi-final Tom Davies, Ben Sharman (both suspended) and Karl Horton (holiday) were all unavailable for the Crabs resulting in several changes to the starting line up.

Cromer had most of the early possession but failed to cause any problems for the Planters' defence.

United the lead when a free-kick was harshly awarded on the right wing from which the delivery was good to Andrew Claydon at the back post. He had a free header back across goal. The first attempt was blocked on the line by Josh Gray but the ball fell to Lee Hunter who had a simple tap-in.

Despite conceding, Cromer continued to dominate but couldn't break through a well-organised defence and on 24 minutes United doubled their advantage. The ball was played through the centre and Claydon gathered the loose ball and coolly lifted it over the Kellett to make it 2-0. In time added on it was nearly 3-0 when a misplaced pass from the Cromer midfield went to Hunter who closed on goal before his excellent strike was pushed away by Kellett.

Although Cromer had had most of the ball they had failed to test Nower in the United goal and they found themselves with a mountain to climb in the second half.

The visitors had a good claim for a penalty when some good skill from Jordan Blyth took him between Cromer defenders before he went down under Liam Davies' challenge, but appeals were waved away.

After the hour the Crabs forced a save from Nower when he tipped Harwood's free-kick round a post.

This was the only save Nower made, and in the final 10 minutes the visitors looked to secure the victory. In the 85th minute they did get a penalty when Liam Davies brought down a United attacker. Davies received his second booking and was sent off.

Hunter stepped up from 12 yards but Kellett kept the deficit at two. However, from the resulting corner the visitors added a third when Shipley's glancing header went into the far corner from a Hunter cross.

United went close to adding a fourth when Hunter was one-on-one with Kellett but the Cromer keeper stood tall and saved. From the corner a Coe header was cleared off the line.