CRC 2, Kirkley & Pakefield 3

Kirkley & Pakefield clocked up an impressive 3-2 victory at CRC and moved level on points with their hosts in the process.

The match was a terrific example of the high standard that is evident in the Ridgeons League with 5 brilliant goals, some free-flowing passing football and the sun shining on a brilliant pitch, ensuring the game lived up to its pre-match expectation.

The KP Royals were determined to put an end to their three match losing streak in the league and avenge the defeat they suffered at the hands of CRC earlier in the season.

They made the best possible start after just five minutes as young midfielder Toby Kerslake brilliantly struck home from the edge of the area for 1-0.

With both teams looking to keep the ball and build from the back, the home side equalised on 30 minutes after some good play from Samuel Naiwo, who incidentally scored the second goal when CRC won 2-0 at Walmer Road earlier in the campaign.

Yet K&P weren't put off by the set-back and advanced forward themselves as Alex Holmes, who was back in attack for this game, headed against the crossbar following a dangerous passage of play.

However, the Royals were not to be thwarted before half time as Scott Manning's thunderbolt, in a similar position to the Kerslake goal, flew into the net to make it 2-1 to Jon Reynolds' side at the break.

The young away side were sure to have been told at half time to hold the lead for as long as possible and frustrate CRC, but just ten minutes into the second half and the scores were level again following a sweeping move from one end of the pitch to the other.

Yet again, full credit to the K&P team who continued to battle and would not let their heads drop and they reaped the rewards on 82 minutes.

Alex Holmes saw the goalkeeper off his line and superbly lobbed the ball over his head and into the net from 25 yards. It was slightly closer to the chip he scored against Norwich United earlier in the season, but it was of the same magnitude as it again won the match for K&P.