Windscale opened their Wearside League programme later than they expected at early table toppers Leam Rangers.
The Gateshead side had won both games without conceding a goal, whilst scoring 12 themselves.
With no game last Saturday and the mid-week game postponed Windscale took positives from their performance, battling hard before going under 4-2.
With some key forwards unavailable, Windscale had to change their usual format to 5-3-2 in order to stifle Leam Rangers attacking threat.
This worked well for the first 20 minutes when the hosts made the first break-through. A cross from the left was headed home by Jonathan Hirst whose run had not been picked up by the Atoms rear-guard.
With little time for the Atoms to regroup, Hirst doubled Gateshead’s lead two minutes later with another header across goal over Atoms custodian Andrew Richardson into the far corner.
Windscale were beginning to adjust to their new format creating some good opportunities themselves. Leo Brennan was a thorn in Leam’s side all game and the hosts were fortunate when he was brought down by the opposition centre half when through on goal. The match official only brandished a yellow instead of the customary red card.
Will Rooke was also instrumental in providing some intelligent build-up play which the Atoms were unable to convert into goals. As well, the performance of home goalkeeper Connor Lane, contributed to the Atoms’ blank goals column.
The Gateshead side notched their third with the game approaching the 40 minute mark. Following some patient build-up play, Alan Thompson scrambled the ball home from close range to leave the hosts 3-0 ahead at the break.
Windscale reduced the arrears in the 58th minute. A well struck shot from Reece Fretwell produced another impressive stop from Lane. However, he was unable to hold onto the shot and Fretwell hammered in the loose ball.
Shortly after, Brennan broke clear to create a one-on-one situation with Lane, before firing in a low hard shot from just inside the penalty box. The keeper made yet another unbelievable save.
Lane followed this up with another stop when a deflected shot from Rooke looked to be arrowing its way into the Gateshead net.
Salt was rubbed into the Atoms’ wounds when Leam reinstated their three-goal advantage after Kieron Clarke cut inside and deposited the ball into the bottom corner.
The Atoms weren’t done. Following a number of promising attacks, Windscale were awarded a free kick on the corner of the Leam penalty area. Lewis Selkirk stepped-up to bend the ball beyond Lane’s fingertips into the back of the net.
Following this 4-2 win, Gateshead now sit top of the Premiership with nine points from their three games but the Atoms pushed them all the way with a performance that bodes well for the season ahead.
