Rio Gill marked his first competitive start for Newton-le-Willows with both goals as the First Team earned an impressive 2-1 victory away at Winsford Town.

This was always likely to be a tough test against a Winsford side who were one of the stronger teams in the league last season, and the hosts showed their quality from the outset.

Winsford made the stronger start and enjoyed the better of the opening 15 minutes, putting Newton under pressure and creating a couple of half-chances without finding the breakthrough.

Instead, it was Newton who struck first against the run of play. On 15 minutes, Ash Hammond delivered the ball into the box from the right and found Rio Gill, who produced a striker’s finish to score his first competitive goal for the club on his first competitive start.

Gill almost doubled the lead just minutes later. Ben Mather did well down the left before sending a low ball across the box, but Gill was unable to make clean contact and scuffed his effort.

Winsford responded well and found their equaliser following a mix-up between Matty Hart and Alfie Speakman, presenting the hosts with a simple opportunity to make it 1-1.

The home side continued to press and came close to turning the game around shortly afterwards when an effort struck the post.

The match changed significantly in the 34th minute. Dan Hankinson won possession in the Winsford half and broke forward, lifting the ball over the advancing goalkeeper. The keeper brought Hankinson down outside the area and, as the last man, was shown a red card.

With Winsford reduced to ten, the pattern of the game began to shift. The hosts became more conservative and Newton started to see more of the ball as they looked to make their numerical advantage count.

The second half proved a tighter affair. Winsford sat deeper and made the midfield congested, forcing Newton to work hard for openings. Gill and Joe Sigsworth both had good opportunities to restore the lead, but the hosts continued to frustrate Newton.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 83rd minute. Hankinson picked up the ball outside the area and attempted a shot which he did not catch cleanly, but the effort found its way through the crowded Winsford defence and dropped perfectly for Gill, who reacted quickest to score his second of the afternoon.

Winsford pushed forward in the closing stages in search of another equaliser, but Newton remained strong and saw out the remaining minutes to secure all three points.

Against one of last season’s stronger sides, this was a hard-earned and valuable away win for Newton, with Rio Gill named Player of the Match after a match-winning brace on his first competitive start.

The result also leaves Newton sitting top of the League One table after the opening three games of the season, although there is still a long way to go in the campaign.