Brandon Town 3, Cromer Town 1CROMER made the long trip to Brandon to face a side who over previous seasons had proved tough opposition in this fixture and nothing was to change on this occasion with Cromer's losing streak continuing.

Brandon Town 3, Cromer Town 1

CROMER made the long trip to Brandon to face a side who over previous seasons had proved tough opposition in this fixture and nothing was to change on this occasion with Cromer's losing streak continuing. Osborne and Harwood returned from holiday but Cooper and Parker were unavailable. Liam Davies was also missing and will be out for several weeks with a broken elbow, writes Richard Cox.

Neither side threatened in the opening 20 minutes. Cromer then had a definite penalty waved away. A cross from the left was going to Eves at the back post but the ball was pushed away by the hand of Tuffs. Something the linesman missed, much to the amazement of both Cromer and Brandon players and management.

Almost immediately at the other end the home side took the lead. A long range shot from Neil Edwards went under the diving Osborne and into the bottom corner. Brandon added a second moments later. Kevin Sobiechowski's free-kick was on target, straight at Osborne but the Cromer goalkeeper fumbled the ball and it found its way into the goal. Waites then forced Osborne to make a good save. The Crabs had a chance to pull a goal back before half-time when Eves played the ball in behind the Brandon defence where Hunton then played the ball across goal but Corston pushed it away.

At the start of the second half Brandon looked like they were going to extend their lead. Osborne made two saves, Leach fired over and Sobiechowski's deflected shot came back off the post. Against the run of play Cromer pulled a goal back with 20 minutes remaining. Harwood's found the bottom corner with a free-kick from 30 yards. There was no flag when Eves ran onto a through ball, he squared it across the box but was just beyond the reach of Davies. With the Crabs pushing forward trying to grab a equaliser gaps appeared at the back and Brandon made it 3-1. Wright crossed to Waites at the back post, he laid it back to Peckham who first time strike went into the back of the net. There was not much time for Cromer if they were going to get anything from the game. Terrington's lob attempt from 25 yards went just wide. The same player was then just off target with his left foot shot. In added time Terrington's header was cleared off the line. This was a third straight league defeat for Cromer. The Crabs must find some winning form quickly if they are to stay in the leading pack as there seems to be several teams looking to challenge for league honours. This Saturday sees another away fixture at Dersingham.

The reserves picked up an emphatic victory in the Morley Cup with a 10-1 win at home to Brandon Reserves. Paul Spruce got a hat-trick. There were braces for Ryan Walsh and Simon Robinson and goals for Ben Sharman, Liam Walsh and Paul Winterbone. This Saturday they entertain Lyng in the third round of the Norfolk Junior Cup, ko 1.45pm.