Cromer Town 3, Beccles Town 1Cromer lead the Anglian Com-bination Premier Division, knocking Beccles off top spot and taking advantage of North Walsham's 2-1 home defeat by Mattishall on Friday night.

Cromer Town 3, Beccles Town 1

Cromer lead the Anglian Com-bination Premier Division, knocking Beccles off top spot and taking advantage of North Walsham's 2-1 home defeat by Mattishall on Friday night.

On Saturday the Crabs visit fourth-placed Blofield in the fourth round of the Norfolk Senior Cup.

Missing from the weekend side were Ryan Honeyman (injury) and Matthew Eves (ill) but David Harwood and Liam Davies returned after missing last week's win at Wroxham. Paul Winterbone also came into the starting line up, writes Richard Cox.

The first half saw very little action in either final third and only a couple of chances were created, both by Cromer. The first came from a Harwood free-kick when he found Darren Terrington. But from close range he was unable to make the desired connection and his left-foot shot was easily saved. But from their second opportunity Cromer took the lead.

James Pipe crossed from the by line and the ball was only cleared to the edge of the box from where Karl Horton struck low into the back of the net.

Beccles drew level early in the second half. Kevin Waterman's free-kick from just inside the Cromer half wasn't attacked by either side and the ball ended up in the back of the net.

Beccles suddenly had their tails up and looked for the lead. But despite a lot of possession in front of the home goal they forced only one telling save from Richard Kellett who kept out a header from a corner.

Winterbone hit the side netting with a free-kick from 25-yards before the Crabs regained the lead just after the hour mark.

Josh Gray's long throw was flicked on at the near post and the ball went to Horton, who grabbed his second when his strike found its way into the back of the net with the aid of a deflection.

Shortly after the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Gerald Martin received a second yellow card. Despite this Beccles should have equalised through Alan Remblance when poor defending allowed the Beccles striker through on goal. He lifted the ball over Kellett only to see it come back off the bar.

They were punished for wasting this opportunity when Cromer got a third on 70 minutes. A corner from the left eventually fell for Daniel Cullington who bundled the ball over the line. Pipe then fired over and Terrington saw his header cleared off the line.

In the final 10 minutes Beccles were awarded a penalty after Anthony Martin was judged to have been brought down by Kellett. But Remblance's tamely-struck penalty rolled wide.