Despite the unavailability of several regulars,Windscale were able to supplement their squad for the Wearside League trip to Silksworth.
It was to the detriment of the Reserve team who travelled to meet table toppers Carlisle City Development in the Cumberland County League.
But the first team consequently travelled across to Sunderland, and returned with a well-earned 5-1 victory.
Silksworth were a league place above Windscale prior to kick-off due to a slightly better goal difference, but this victory moved the Atoms up to 5th place and preserved their unbeaten away record.
Windscale shot out of the blocks and were 2-0 up by the 7th minute. It was Ross Leeson who struck first, pouncing on a deflected shot by man of the match Reece Fretwell, to slide the ball beyond the Silksworth keeper. Claims by the home team for offside were waved away by the referee.
It was the Atoms two front men that added to the score, Ben Graham picked up the ball and after skipping beyond his marker delivered a perfect cross to Lewis Jolly who headed home.
The lead was increased further in the 19th minute by Graham. After some slick work by Joe Phillipson and Matt Sempill, Graham was on hand to nod the ball into the back of the net.
It was not all one-way traffic. Atoms keeper Ian Studholme came to the rescue a couple of times in order to maintain their three goal advantage.
Then it was Matt Metcalf’s turn to add to the score in the 38th minute rising above everyone at the back post to nod home the Atoms fourth goal.
Windscale received a warning against complacency when Silksworth’s Ewan Colling pulled a goal back in the 42nd minute, leaving the hosts trailing 4-1 at the break.
It was two minutes into the second period when the visitors added to their tally. Matt Sempill pressed the Silksworth centre back to win possession before carrying the ball forward and clipping it beyond the advancing home custodian.
There were no further goals, with the Atoms content to play out the remaining 43 minutes and provide some valuable game time to Lewis Selkirk and Kieran Fraser.
The hosts’ cause was not helped by finishing the game with ten men, after a player and their manager were dismissed by the referee.
It was a very satisfactory performance from the Atoms, who will be looking for another three points on Saturday when they entertain Darlington RA at the Falcon, with a 2:00pm kick-off.
Darlington Railway Athletic are seven places and seven points behind the Atoms.
