KEITH PEEL Manager Terry Beane has an ominous message for rival teams as Cromer Town bid to retain the Dolphin Autos Anglian Combination Premier Division championship.

KEITH PEEL

Manager Terry Beane has an ominous message for rival teams as Cromer Town bid to retain the Dolphin Autos Anglian Combination Premier Division championship.

“I think our squad is even stronger than last season,” said the man who also steered the Crabs to Senior KO Cup victory.

They've lost that trophy - beaten 1-0 by North Walsham in what Beane called “the worst performance I have seen from a Cromer team since I became manager” - but he is confident they can keep the Sterry Cup.

“One or two players from last season decided they might be better off playing elsewhere, probably not being too sure whether they would get in our squad,” he revealed.

“It takes a very, very good player to come to Cromer and force his way straight into the first team.

“But, that said, we've made four or five really good signings and, so far, they've blended into the team well and I've been very pleased with them. It's important to me that we bring in the right people, players who can slot into the team and make things happen for us.

“I'm very pleased with the league start, particularly because we have people unavailable because of suspensions and holidays. It's going to be another month before we get our strongest squad together, so, hopefully, our best is still to come.”

He added: “What has delighted me is the effort and commitment being shown by the players. They're a very honest, hard-working bunch of boys and they're all prepared to train hard. They say retaining a championship is harder than first winning it, and we realise as well as anybody that every team will be after taking points off Cromer this season.

“We fully expect that and we accept that. We've just got to keep our heads down and take one game at a time.”

Cromer recorded their fourth successive Premier Division win on Saturday, by 4-1 (Tom Davies, Daniel Foreman, Joe Kerry and Darren Terrington) against Sprowston Athletic.

They stay top on goal difference from Lowestoft Town Reserves, who won 2-1 at Attleborough.

Blofield drew 2-2 (Daniel Brown and Neil Maguire) at Sheringham and are third, on goal difference from Brandon and North Walsham.

Lee Webber's goal earned Brandon a 1-0 win at Halvergate, while Walsham won 1-0 (William Deledico) against St Andrews.

Gayton, the Division One leaders, were in Norfolk Senior Cup first round action, winning 3-0 (Martyn Allen, Chris Bunting and Philip Hurr) against Aylsham Wanderers.

Hempnall won 2-1 (David Robinson and Mark Whitmore) after extra time at Hindringham, while Wymondham Town beat Mundford 2-1, with Stuart Catchpole and Andrew Harvey their scorers.

Goals from David Matthew (3), Matthew Sadler and Gary Summons earned Loddon a 5-1 victory over Holt.