Cringleford remain unbeaten since the start of November 2008 and deservedly so based upon this performance.
After a long drive and an even longer warm up, with the referee appearing in no hurry to start the match, Cringleford started the stronger of the two teams. With Phil Law, who had to go to work the next day, linking up well with Dave Sharred a supply chain was created to the front two and Ecky and Mike Pyne had ample opportunities to put Cringleford in front. The Cromer goal was bombarded in the first ten minutes and Cringleford should have been three up. Imagine the shock when on their first attack Cromer win a corner and the outswinging corner is met on the volley from the edge of the box. The sweetly struck shot flies past the vertically challenged Phil Law into the top corner in what must be Goal Of The Season. Shame Cringleford didn't score it!
Lesser teams would have crumbled, but Cringleford are made of strong stuff and despite a few strong words about marking at the corner Cringleford rallied and resumed where they left off and took the game to Cromer. Mike Pyne, who didn't have to work until next Saturday, chased tirelessly up front and was supported well by Ecky, who works at the Last Wine Bar, and the central midfield partnership of Dave and Huw. Cringleford without George and Mick's creativity are often missing the "killer pass" but Huw and Dave were more than making up for that with their work rate and tough tackling. The breakthrough came just eight minutes later (to be precise) when everyone had a crack at the goal in the mother of all goal-mouth scrambles and as the ball broke to Yun Min he drilled it low in the corner past the keeper.
Cringleford kept pressing and a goal seemed inevitable. On the 28th Minute Ecky swung a corner into the near post, Phil Shaul flicked it on and Mike Pyne supplied the tap in, 2 - 1 Cringleford.
Cringleford did not rest on their laurels and continued to press but it was not all one way with Cromer countering well with their lively wing play which kept Bartlett and Jennings (who both had to go to work the next day) busy and forced Shaul and Dennis (who both used to work at Norwich Union) out of position as they supported their team mates.
Mike Pyne continued to chase lost causes and picked up a through ball wide on the right, he made a bee-line for the penalty area and was promptly brought down and the ref had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Mike despatched the spot kick in the corner, 3 - 1 Cringleford.
Cromer rallied and again used their wingers only for the speedy left winger to be cynically blocked by Phil Shaul when apparently in on goal. Phil Shaul who was duly awarded Cringleford's first ever yellow card.......well he had to win something! The resulting free-kick was spectacularly saved by Ollie as he stopped to smile for the cameras in mid-flight.
Kevin Taylor, who works every other Monday, came on in the second half and had a superb game up front, holding the ball up when support was needed and laying it off well when required. He always seemed to make the right decision when options were available. At one point Kevin had the ball in the back of the net only to be ruled off-side. Mid-way throughthe second half Kevin was upended in the area and had the ideal opportunity to put the game out of sight. Unfortunately the goalie guessed right and his penalty kick was saved.......another inauspicious Cringleford first!
The second half was well balanced with the Cringleford back four soaking up the pressure and being well supported by Huw and Dave.
Ian Bartlett, who had to go to work the next day, decided to audition for the role of Cromer Town Crier and promptly pointed out to everyone that "he had to go to work the next day" with his now infamous line, as a result of a bad tackle. Cringleford held on although only thanks to a spectacular save from Ollie from a free-kick and the score ended 3 - 1.
