Wormley 0 Elliott Star 0

Herts Senior County League Premier Division

Plucky Star gained a well-deserved point in their fight to beat the drop.

The players put in their best all-round performance for weeks, playing with sparkle, flair and, most importantly, passion.

As early as the third minute, Sam O'Connell put in a shot which had the Wormley keeper flying though the air to tip the ball away for a corner.

The game ebbed and flowed. Wormley are a side who attempt to play good football, without resorting to kicking the opposition up in the air, and it was turning into a good game, with Star having the better chances in the first half. Both Rick Burrows and Matt Hudson had shots at the home goal and even Rick Brown, Star's centre-back, hit a shot from inside his own half, which the home side's keeper had to go full stretch to save.

For 30 minutes, Star had run the game, but Wormley slowly but surely edged their way into it, creating a couple of chances in as many minutes.

Meanwhile, Hudson, from a pass from Jamie McKinnie, saw the keeper tip an effort over the bar. O'Connell then went close, when his shot went over after Burrows had fed him a great pass.

Star keeper Adam Warner made a great save at the near post just before half-time in what was an encouraging 45 minutes.

Wormley started the second half brightly and should have scored in the 47th minute, but a home striker blasted over the bar from close in with the goal at his mercy.

At the other end, Burrows fed O'Connell, who then set up Hudson, but his shot was tipped around the post.

Wormley were now in the driving seat, as Star had been in the first half, and Brown made a superb tackle to keep the scores level.

It was not all one-way, however, with Brown heading over a Jason Blythe free-kick at the other end.

Warner made another great save from a Wormley free-kick and then, ten minutes from time, somehow tipped the ball on to the post before Ross Griggs finally cleared the danger.

Ross Marle, as ever, covered every blade of grass for Star's cause, while Griggs and Brown were outstanding in defence.

The final Star chance fell to Burrows, but his shot whizzed past the post.

STAR: Warner, Love, Pringle, Griggs, Brown, Burrows, Blythe, Hudson, O'Connell, McKinnie, Marle. Subs: Flanagan, Smith, Horwood.

Star host Standon and Puckeridge tomorrow (3pm).