KIRKLEY & Pakefield boss Paul Tong hailed star striker Ryan Crisp after the youngster returned to form this week, notching five goals in two games.

Crisp helped the Royals rescue a point against Woodbridge in the league last weekend with a brace and he followed this on Wednesday night by plundering a hat-trick in the 5-1 win over Debenham LC to put Kirkley in the third round of the Red Insure Cup.

Tong was delighted for the forward, who appears to have put the disappointment of a failed trial at West Bromwich Albion behind him.

'He has come back after being on trial and sometimes that disappointment can affect you,' said Tong. 'He has just got to carry on scoring goals and enjoying his football again.

'He is a quality player with a lot of ability – I think he has got to show a desire and I think it will happen for him.

'He has been quiet for a while but then like all good strikers once he had got one you knew that another wouldn't be far behind.'

Tong was disappointed with his side's display last weekend against Woodbridge but believes it shows just how far the Royals have come that they are now frustrated despite taking a point on the road.

'The lads showed a lot of character to come back from 2-1 down but we weren't happy with the level of performance,' he said. 'We have not won in four league games but I prefer looking at the big picture so say that we've only lost one in seven.

'It could be better – we know that – but with a young side and the financial restrictions we work under we have to be pretty happy with where we are.

'It shows how far we've come that we're disappointed that we could only get a draw.'

Kirkley were clinical in seeing off Debenham in the cup on Wednesday night and once Crisp struck twice before half-time there was little doubt Tong's men would progress.

Crisp grabbed another in the second half whilst Dominic Smith and Michael Tacon completed the rout as Debenham netted a late consolation.