Cromer Town 1, Acle United 3Tuesday night's Anglian Combination Premier Division match was no more than a stroll for United in the second half.They should have been ahead much earlier.

Cromer Town 1, Acle United 3

Tuesday night's Anglian Combination Premier Division match was no more than a stroll for United in the second half.

They should have been ahead much earlier. They created numerous chances but were unable to find the finishing touch or the final ball.

The fluency they played with in the 2-0 win at Loddon in the last game was sadly lacking and it was not until the second 45 minutes that the travelling band of supporters were given something to enthuse over.

Acle battled back from a goal deficit, scored with the last kick of the first half by Cromer's Terrington. He never had control of a bouncing ball but still managed to poke it home past the despairing fingertips of Acle's keeper Scott Foreman.

It was mainly due to Foreman that the visitors were able to change over only one goal in arrears as he rescued his side several times during the first 45.

Cromer offered very little in the second period as the rampant visitors front line tore into waves of attacks set up by the skilful defenders who dominated throughout the second period.

With only six minutes played of the second half the ball was played through the middle for Louis Holdsworth to use his power to take him past two defenders before slotting neatly into the bottom right corner to level the scores.

This was the sign for Acle to go on all-out attack and 16 minutes from the re-start Warren Nichols repeated his act of scoring sensational goals. He picked up the ball from 25 yards out and unleashed a ferocious right-foot dipping drive which gave Cromer's keeper Kellett no chance.

With 72 minutes on the clock Holdsworth hit a half-chance into a crowded goalmouth and the cleverest of dummies from Thompson distracted the attention of keeper Kellett and his defenders, allowing the ball to finish in the corner of the net to put Acle 3-1 ahead.

Tony Ward's side now have two wins on board, and if Cromer are a sign of what is to come they must think the Sterry Cup is at last within their grasp. This victory ultimately owed much to the guile and craft of the back four who once again were a shining light.

Robin Tungate