WHITCHURCH United and Tadley Calleva went into the Christmas break on a high after recording morale-boosting 1-1 draws against two of the top teams in Wessex League Division One.

Table-topping Verwood visited Longmeadow on Saturday but could not get the better of Whitchurch, with home manager Jim Macey feeling his side could have snatched all three points.

“We should have won because we played very well,” he said. “I was pleased with the performance again and we played some great football – but we have been doing that all year and not getting the rewards.”

Whitchurch could have taken an early lead when Paul Coventry went through but the Verwood goalkeeper made a good save and the visitors went straight up the other end to score themselves.

Both sides had chances in the remainder of the half, with Adam Everiss hitting the post for Whitchurch, for whom goalkeeper Tommy Highmarsh made a fantastic double save.

Whitchurch got the breakthrough they deserved 10 minutes into the second half. Substitute Nick Jupp ran down the left and cut inside before passing for Alex Dockree to smash in a great shot from 30 yards.

Jupp then had two chances to win the match, while Mario Nurse forced the visiting goalkeeper into another save as Whitchurch pressed.

The result leaves Whitchurch 12th in the table and they are without a game until January 5, when they travel to local rivals Andover New Street.

Macey added: “We are looking forward to the break and it will give us a chance to rest a couple of injuries. We are still hopeful of getting into the top half, because that is what the squad is capable of.”

Tadley remain bottom of the table but manager Danny Dolan was encouraged by his side’s performance as they held East Cowes Vics to a draw on the Isle of Wight.

“To go there and get a point is massive for us considering we had about six players pull out during the week,” he said. “I brought in a few kids and they did the club proud against the best footballing side in this division.”

Michael Abbott failed to make the most of a good early chance but Tadley went ahead on the half hour as Abbott threaded a ball behind the defence for youth team player James Milford to chase. He bravely challenged the ’keeper, getting a toe on the ball to direct it into the net.

East Cowes levelled five minutes after the break. The visitors failed to deal with a long throw, allowing the ball to bounce in their box, and a home striker fired home.

East Cowes pressed for a winner but Tadley had a great chance to snatch all three points, Abbott shooting over from close range.

Tadley are next in action away at Fleet Spurs on January 3.

Dolan added: “I am hoping to sign a couple of new players before our next game. I have got to get stability and the same players on the pitch every week.

“If I can do that we will climb up the table and there is still a lot to play for.”