Windscale gave a creditable performance in a 4-1 defeat against the favourites to win the Wearside League Championship and gain promotion to the Northern League.
The score line made it look a more comfortable victory than it actually was as two goals came in injury time, which the Gateshead management team acknowledged at the end of the game.
The first half was very even with Gateshead playing with a strong wind in their favour, however, the best chances for the home team came from set pieces which were comfortably dealt with by the Windscale rear-guard, keeper Ian Studholme in particular.
The Atoms goal threat came down the right particularly through Lewis Jolly. Any other chances created were either blocked or mis-hit when opportunities presented themselves. A slow uneventful half ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
Following the restart the Rangers picked up the pace and were rewarded with a goal in the 48th minute.
A shot from the edge of the box by Robbie Houghton passed through a posse of players, and with his view blocked Studholme managed to get a hand to the ball but couldn’t prevent it hitting the back of the net.
Following this setback, Windscale established a hold on the game and it was no surprise when they restored parity.
In the 66th minute, a well struck free kick from Jolly was parried by the Gateshead keeper, and Joe Phillipson pouncedg to power home the loose ball.
The visitors then enjoyed a spell of dominance but were unable to convert the couple of opportunities they created. It was Gateshead who took the lead again in the 76th minute. A mis-hit shot from Kain Reed landed at the feet of Jonny Hirst who cut in from the right firing home a first time effort to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.
The result remained in the balance as Windscale pushed men forward to find another goal and bring the scores level again. As the game drifted into added time, the home side added a further two goals.
It was the best player on the field, Jonny Hirst, who secured the win for the Championship hopefuls. With 92 minutes on the referees watch, Hirst cut in from the right finding the bottom corner with a low shot.
There was more disappointment for the Atoms in the 94th minute and it was that man Hirst again who ran onto a defence splitting pass to complete his hat trick.
