Windscale’s splendid run in the Wearside League continued with a 7-2 home win against Norton and Stockton Ancients.
The Atoms have only lost twice in the last 17 games and this current run of form has ensured they remain in seventh place in the Wearside League.
They will need to continue this level of performance next week when they travel to high flying Chester Le Street in the quarter finals of the Monkwearmouth Cup.
The game had started at blistering pace with two goals in the first two minutes and Windscale couldn’t have made a better start.
They took the lead with only 27 seconds on the clock. Leo Brennan showed great anticipation to fire in from close range after Lewis Jolly’s initial shot was saved.
Norton levelled 90 seconds later. A poor pass inside Windscale’s half gave Norton possession and they capitalised when the ball was slotted neatly beyond Ian Studholme to make it 1-1.
Windscale continued to mount attacks on the Norton goal however, some poor finishing and good goalkeeping kept the score at 1-1. Despite the onslaught Norton looked dangerous on the counter, particularly through Chris Atkinson whose ability in the air and general hold up play was causing Windscale problems.
The second goal came as Windscale’s new signing Ross Leeson made a darting run to collect a short corner. He delivered a great ball across the box to pick out Andrew Begbie who converted at the back post.
The home team were grateful to keeper Studholme, who made some vital saves at key moments, particularly from a one on one with Atkinson when it looked as though parity would be restored.
With five minutes to go to the break, the energetic Leeson again burst forward from full back. After initially playing a square ball across the box which somehow ended up back at his feet, he gratefully slotted home from close range.
With a minute left on the clock until the end of the half, Windscale further extended their lead to make it 4-1 at the break.
A sublime cross field pass from Laurie Black led to some good approach play. The ball eventually landed at the feet of Brennan who drilled the ball into the net from the edge of the box.
The second period started with Norton’s half time team talk looking to have made an impact. Their renewed determination was rewarded when Windscale failed to clear a corner and the ball was lashed into the Windscale net from around eight yards out.
At 4-2 the game was certainly far from over. However, Brennan virtually decided the issue with his hat trick goal. He fired in from the edge of the penalty box when the Norton defence failed to clear a Windscale attack.
On 79 minutes substitute Kieran Fraser converted a Byran Todd free-kick with a well guided header back across the keeper.
With only a few minutes remaining it was another substitute again making a difference.
The lightning quick Dean Fox raced down the wing and clipped a great ball into Sam Thompson who calmly headed home to complete the scoring.
