The J A Walton Challenge Cup brings together sides from across the Cheshire Football League and has moved to a new league-phase format for the 2026/27 season.

Newton will play six fixtures during the opening stage of the competition, with home games against Styal, Whaley Bridge Athletic and Upton, alongside trips to Moore United, Sandbach Town and Tytherington. The competition will then progress into its knockout stages.

Saturday is the first round of fixtures in that phase, giving both Newton and Moore the opportunity to get points on the board at the beginning of their cup campaigns.

The Opposition: Moore United

Moore United currently compete in Cheshire Football League Two, meaning Saturday also brings a reunion between two sides who shared a division last season.

Newton finished the 2025/26 campaign as League Two champions, while Moore ended the season in sixth place. The sides met twice in quick succession towards the end of that campaign, with Newton recording 4-1 victories both home and away.

Those previous meetings provide some familiarity, but Saturday begins a completely new competition campaign with points rather than immediate elimination at stake.

Squad News

James Bateman returns to the group, while Louie Rowlands keeps his place in the squad after making his First Team debut last weekend. Rowlands was a late addition to the squad at Sandbach after Owen Walker was ruled out through illness, with Walker returning this weekend.

Joe Charleston, Matty Hart and Jake Ball are all unavailable for the trip to Moore.

Newton squad:
Alfie Speakman, Alex Barron, James Bateman, Flynn Bickerstaffe, Ben Crowe, Charlie Eden, Rio Gill, Ash Hammond, Dan Hankinson, Tom Little, Ben Mather, Anthony Plant, Louie Rowlands, Matty Smith, Owen Walker, Craig Winer.

Fixture Details

Moore United v Newton-le-Willows FC
J A Walton Challenge Cup – Group Stage
Saturday 31 October 2026
Kick-off: 2:00pm
Grange Sports & Social Club