Newton-le-Willows FC booked their place in the Cheshire Football League Presidents Cup semi-finals with a 3–0 victory over Lostock Gralam Reserves at Newton-le-Willows Sports Club.

After a frustrating opening 45 minutes, Newton took control after the break as their superior fitness began to show, with Dan Hankinson scoring twice before Tom Little marked his competitive debut with a goal deep into stoppage time.

The victory means Newton finish the group stage with three wins from three following earlier victories over St Helens Town U23 and Crewe FC Reserves.

Frustrating First Half

Newton enjoyed the better of the opening half but were unable to turn their possession and chances into goals.

The first real opportunity arrived after 11 minutes when Ben Mather delivered from the left, with his attempted cross beating the goalkeeper but coming back off the crossbar.

Three minutes later, Owen Walker found space on the right-hand side of the penalty area. He cut inside onto his left foot but sent his effort high and wide.

Newton continued to see more of the ball but were unable to find the breakthrough, sending the sides into half-time level at 0–0.

Hankinson Breaks the Deadlock

Newton emerged strongly after the restart and almost opened the scoring three minutes into the second half when Ash Hammond met a corner but headed over.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 54th minute.

Matty Smith sent a long ball forward from the back which released Mather into space down the left. The winger drove into the penalty area before producing an excellent square ball across goal for Hankinson, who was left with a simple finish from six yards to score his first goal for the club.

With the deadlock broken, Newton began to take greater control of the contest.

Charlie Eden had an opportunity to double the advantage on the hour mark when a cross from the left found him at the far post, but he sent his effort over.

Three minutes later, the ball dropped invitingly to Alex Barron inside the area, only for his shot to be directed straight at the Lostock goalkeeper.

Hankinson at the Double

Newton's pressure eventually produced a second goal in the 72nd minute.

Ethan Appleby showed excellent skill and strength as he drove beyond defenders down the left before delivering into the penalty area.

His cross picked out Hankinson in the middle, and the forward produced a fine volley to score his second of the afternoon and give Newton a deserved two-goal cushion.

Hankinson was presented with an opportunity to complete his hat-trick eight minutes later when the Lostock goalkeeper raced from his goal and the loose ball fell his way. With the goal unguarded, however, he was unable to convert.

Newton thought they had added a third in the 89th minute.

Joe Sigsworth's delivery into the area found Flynn Bickerstaffe, whose initial effort was blocked. Ethan Appleby followed up and put the ball into the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside in what appeared to be a close decision.

Little Marks Debut With a Goal

The third eventually arrived three minutes into stoppage time.

A Newton corner was delivered into a crowded penalty area, where Hammond rose above the defence and powered a header against the far post.

The rebound dropped perfectly for Little, who reacted quickly to fire home and cap his competitive Newton debut with his first goal for the club.

It completed a convincing 3–0 victory and another clean sheet as Newton maintained their perfect Presidents Cup record.

After being made to work for the breakthrough during the opening half, Newton's second-half performance proved decisive, with three unanswered goals securing top spot in the group and a place in the semi-finals.

Newton will now host Poynton FC Reserves in the Presidents Cup semi-final at Newton-le-Willows Sports Club on Saturday 22 August.

Player of the Match: Dan Hankinson – two goals, his first for the club, in a commanding second-half performance.

Full-time: Newton-le-Willows FC 3–0 Lostock Gralam Reserves