Newton Target Semi-Final Place in Final Group Fixture

Newton-le-Willows FC welcome Lostock Gralam Reserves to the Sports Club knowing a point will secure top spot and a place in the Presidents Cup semi-finals.

Newton-le-Willows FC complete their Cheshire Football League Presidents Cup group campaign on Saturday when they welcome Lostock Gralam Reserves to Newton-le-Willows Sports Club.

The match kicks off at 2:00pm, with Newton entering the final round of group fixtures having taken maximum points from their opening two games.

A 2–1 victory away to St Helens Town U23 was followed by an impressive 3–0 win at Crewe FC Reserves last weekend, leaving Newton top of the group with six points from six.

Crewe FC and St Helens Town U23 both sit three points behind, while Lostock Gralam Reserves are yet to register a point.

A draw on Saturday would therefore be enough to guarantee Newton top spot and progression to the Presidents Cup semi-finals, while victory would complete a perfect group-stage campaign.

Although the competition forms part of Newton’s preparations for the new League One season, the opportunity to reach the knockout stages has added an extra competitive edge to the summer schedule.

The Opposition: Lostock Gralam Reserves

Lostock Gralam Reserves arrive at the Sports Club looking for their first points of the competition.

They began their Presidents Cup campaign with a 7–1 defeat to Crewe FC before losing 4–1 against St Helens Town U23.

Lostock will compete in Cheshire Football League Reserve League 1 this season, having not fielded a Reserve side in the league last year. Their previous CFL Reserve team competed in Reserve League 2 during the 2020/21 season.

Squad News

Newton name a 16-man squad for Saturday’s fixture, with several players still unavailable due to holidays and other commitments typical of this stage of the season.

Ash Hammond, Flynn Bickerstaffe and Owen Walker all return to the squad after missing last weekend’s victory at Crewe.

Joe Potter is in line to make his competitive debut for Newton, while latest signing Tom Little could also make his first competitive appearance for the club.

Newton squad:
Alfie Speakman, Ethan Appleby, Alex Barron, Flynn Bickerstaffe, Ben Crowe, Charlie Eden, Ash Hammond, Dan Hankinson, Tom Little, Ben Mather, Joe Potter, Kristian Rapson, Joe Sigsworth, Matty Smith, Owen Walker, Nathan Wright.

Fixture Details

Newton-le-Willows FC v Lostock Gralam Reserves
Cheshire Football League Presidents Cup
Saturday 15 August 2026
Kick-off: 2:00pm
Newton-le-Willows Sports Club