Andover New Street and Christchurch played out a scrappy but competitive goalless draw in the FA Cup extra preliminary round on 8 August 2026. With the match level at full-time, both clubs now face a replay to determine which side advances to the next qualifying stage of the world's oldest national football competition.

Full-time: Andover New Street 0-0 Christchurch

This was a game that never quite caught fire in the final third, but it was not for a lack of effort from either side. Andover New Street enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the first half, with their midfield controlling the central areas. They created a series of half-chances, though the Christchurch defence consistently offered a body in the way of each strike.

Christchurch, meanwhile, were compact out of possession and looked to spring forward on the break. Their approach nearly paid off on the half-hour mark when a through-ball released the lone striker, who fired narrowly wide from an acute angle. It was the clearest opening of an otherwise tight first 45 minutes.

Second-half stalemate

The second half brought more of the same. Andover New Street continued to probe, but the Christchurch goalkeeper was kept busy rather than truly tested, dealing comfortably with a number of crosses and long-range efforts. At the other end, the hosts survived a scare when a low corner was somehow scrambled away from the goal line.

Late substitutions from both benches did little to change the pattern of play. Both teams looked fatigued in the closing minutes, and neither goalkeeper was forced into a match-defining save. A goalless draw was just about the fairest result to reflect the balance of the game.

Replay will settle the tie

The outcome leaves Andover New Street and Christchurch still level in the FA Cup, with everything to play for in a replay. The team that can find the cutting edge in the final third will almost certainly carry the momentum into the next round. For both clubs, this is a chance for FA Cup glory – and a reminder of how fine the margins can be in non-league football.