Cromer Town 1 Mattishall 0

The Crabs hosted Mattishall and having been held in the reverse fixture expected a tough test against an organised, hard working team.

There was one change to the Cromer side with Sam Groves returning at left back which saw Craig Terrington pushed forward on to the wing at the expense of Matthew Eves, who was on the bench. There was also a slight change in the set-up with Dale Wilton starting alongside Antoni Fawkes and Scott Woodcock on the right wing.

On a good playing surface the home side wanted to try and get the ball down and play. Initially, despite having more of the ball, the visitors' defence was not troubled, and Cromer's first effort came from a set-piece. David Harwood's low struck free-kick from the edge of the box forced a good save from Powley down to his left.

Mattishall looked to stamp their own mark on the game and they had a good chance to do so in the 20th minute. The Crabs failed to organise themselves to defend the delivery into the box and Lewis rose for a free header but the ball went wide.

In the 38th minute good play from Wilton saw him lay the ball back to Terrington whose first time cross found Fawkes and the Cromer No. 10's volley went into the side netting.

The hosts again caused problems from set-pieces and the ball broke for Liam Davies who laid it to Fawkes but he dragged his shot wide. Wilton then looked to capitalise on Lewis misjudgment but he blasted well off target.

Shortly after the restart Wilton and Woodcock were moved back into their usual positions and this had an almost immediate impact as just after the hour mark the Crabs took the lead. Wilton crossed into Woodcock who volleyed brilliantly across goal to make it 1-0.

The game became scrappy at times and Cromer never really looked like extending their lead and Matishall rarely looked like equalising.

The Crabs' only real chance to double their lead came thanks to some good individual play from Wilton to make space to get a shot away but into went into the side netting.

Mattishall only opportunity to grab an equaliser came in the 83rd minute when the ball dropped to Applegate just outside the box but his strike was off target.

It was a crucial three points for Cromer who are in a pack of three teams with Acle and Blofield all looking for Sterry Cup glory. With all these teams in good form any slip up by any of them could prove costly.

Cromer: Pauling, Harwood, Groves, Davies, Bradshaw, Landamore, Wilton, Horton, Woodcock, Fawkes, Terrington (Eves). Subs Not Used: Winterbone, Farrow.

This weekend the Crabs make the short trip to Weybourne Road to face local rivals Sheringham (2.30pm).

Richard Cox