LOCAL rivals Andover and Whitchurch were forced to share a point as they played out a tense 1-1 draw in their first league derby match of the season, writes Patrick Barlow.

Goals for Whitchurch's Callum Sweeney and Andover's Shane Lock meant that the two sides had to settle for a point at the Portway on Tuesday night.

Andover looked to end their three game losing streak in the league and gave home debuts to Paul Coventry and Connor Whiteley, with last game’s goal scorer Liam Gilbert keeping his place in midfield.

Mcaulie Stubbs and Adam Grange also started for the town.

The Jam Boys also named a strong side, with Callum Sweeney and Ryan Lambert leading the attack for Whitchurch.

Lewis Watch and Taurean Manders started in defence.

Andover were able to create some good chances in the early stages of the game, and were almost able to capitalise after Adam Grange’s blistering run down the left wing.

After running off the ball and a great pass from Whiteley, the winger’s shot nearly fired into the top corner except for an exceptional diving save from Whitchurch keeper Watch.

It was only a few minutes after that Liam Gilbert came close to breaking the deadlock from a corner.

After getting the ball on the outside of the box, his low cross rolled past all of the waiting players, and had to be cleared off the line by Whitchurch defender Scott Hasell.

However, it was United who took the lead shortly before half time.

Striker Sweeney latched on to a brilliant ball from midfield, and was able to curl the ball round the onrushing goalkeeper Atkinson, and into the bottom corner to give the Jam Boys the advantage going into the break.

Town put Whitchurch on the back foot at the start of the second half, and made a great chance from a corner.

As Craig Stanley played a cross into Alex Dockree, whose header was deflected off a United defender and had to be palmed away from goal by the Whitchurch keeper.

Town looked to get an equaliser once again, and with the scores level with 15 minutes to spare, McCaulie Stubbs’ in-swinging cross to Craig Blakeman gave Andover a great chance to score, but the full back was only able to head the ball over the cross bar for a goal kick.

In the end it came down to Shane Lock to draw level late into the game.

The Andover substitute was able to put the ball away in the middle of a crowded penalty area after some great play by Alex Dockree and Liam Gilbert, with his shot rolling into the bottom right corner to give Town a welldeserved equaliser.

Andover go into the weekend trying to progress in the FA Cup, as they come against a tough test in Farnborough Town, now with four points from six games in the league.