Newton-le-Willows Reserves produced a commanding performance to claim all three points with a 2-0 home victory over Moore United Development.

Newton controlled the game from the outset and were rarely troubled by the visitors, with the first big opportunity arriving after 14 minutes when Nathan Anderson met a corner with a header that came back off the post.

The breakthrough followed just four minutes later. Louie Rowlands floated an excellent ball over the Moore defence for Ethan Appleby to run onto, and the forward made no mistake as he finished beyond the goalkeeper. It continued Appleby’s excellent start to the league campaign, taking his tally to five goals in just three games.

Newton kept the pressure on, with Alex Peplow and Rowlands both having opportunities to extend the lead. Rowlands went particularly close on 42 minutes when his curling effort towards the top corner took a deflection and crashed against the crossbar.

Rowlands eventually got the goal his performance deserved. After carrying the ball into the area, he kept his composure to slot beyond the advancing goalkeeper and into the far corner to give Newton a deserved two-goal cushion.

The pattern remained much the same after the break, with Newton enjoying the majority of possession and continuing to control proceedings, even if clear-cut opportunities became harder to come by.

The ball was in the net again when Rowlands combined well with substitute Lewis Wilson, who finished the move, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside — a decision that appeared harsh on Newton.

There were also late appeals for a penalty after a Newton attacker went down inside the area, but the referee waved away the protests.

Neither decision ultimately mattered, with Newton seeing out the game comfortably to secure a clean sheet and a well-earned 2-0 victory.

Player of the Match: Louie Rowlands, who was a constant threat throughout and played a part in both goals.