Captain Scarlett! Star's very own super hero

Photo: Tim Bradley

HEADS UP . . . an aerial confrontation sees Daniel Coleman (left) , of North Star, try to win a header

RYAN Scarlett's late strike earned North Star a deserved point in Sun Chemical Division One of the Rochdale Sunday League at Clayton playing fields.

A bright and breezy morning awaited High Crompton-based Star and their opponents Middleton Colts for this 11am kick-off, with the local side eager to make ground on the teams above them with a game or two in hand.

Star have been members of the Rochdale Sunday League for six years, four of which they were known as High Crompton Conservative Club.

Star player-manager Daniel Lewis is happy with the league's set-up.

He said: "It is a well-run league and all the teams seem evenly matched.

"The referees are of a good standard, too."

With Daniel Webster causing Colts all sorts of problems with his pace and streams of crosses, it seemed only a matter of time before Star converted one of those opportunities.

This was a tight encounter, though, with both defences on top, but it was Colts who forged themselves ahead after 37 minutes.

Buoyed by their goal, Colts were in command for much of the second period with a spectrum of talent and looked the more likely side to score next.

COMMITMENT

But Star had other ideas, and when a free-kick from Greg Brooks was only partially cleared, captain Scarlett - whose energy and commitment were eye-catching - proved that the Mysteron (sorry, Middleton) Colts weren't indestructible when he was on hand to stab the ball home from 12 yards with 14 minutes to go.

Lewis said: "In all honesty, it was a fair scoreline.

"We edged the first half, but in the second they were on the front foot. so we are happy with a point from this one.

"I think we have the potential to do well in the league this season, maybe not winning the title but certainly finishing in second or third place."

Star Man: Ryan Scarlett (North Star) - Energetic performance from the skipper - INDESTRUCTIBLE!