Windscale’s first two home games of the Wearside League season have only yielded one point from the six on offer.
Due to an issue with the floodlights at the Falcon Complex, their first home midweek fixture against Silksworth Colliery Welfare was staged at the Fibrus Community Stadium, home of Workington Town RLFC.
Despite the change of surroundings, the Atoms fought out a well-earned 1-1 draw with Silksworth, one of this seasons promotion favourites. In a robust game which saw match official Colin Heron brandish six yellow cards, the game was not for lovers of cultured football.
It was Silksworth who took the lead in the 38th minute. A needlessly given away free kick wide of the Atoms penalty area, was headed home by Jack Banks.
Windscale replied within two minutes when Leo Brennan chased a long through ball, and calmly lifted it over the advancing Silksworth keeper’s head to regain parity.
Despite their efforts, neither team were able to add to their tally and a point each was probably the right result.
With Windscale short on resources, holiday season, injuries etc, they were hosts to Bishop Auckland Reserves at the Falcon Complex at the week-end when the visitors emerged 2-0 winners.
The Atoms were certainly not at their best, constantly giving the ball away needlessly or choosing the wrong option when building attacks. Brennan and Lewis Jolly worked hard up front against an uncompromising Bishops defence but were unable to make a breakthrough.
Brennan, in particular, was on the end of some over-physical challenges, a situation that earned him a caution late in the game when responding likewise.
The Atoms were unfortunate not to take the lead when a header from a corner was directed fractionally wide of goal by Ray Sempill but the visitors took the lead half way through the first period with a goal by Mark Parvin.
They doubled their advantage ten minutes later with a Jay Bell strike, both goals more accredited to the lack of the Atoms awareness than any constructive play by the visitors.
The score line remained 2-0 throughout the second 45 minutes, and Windscale were grateful to keeper Lee Jolly for his man of the match performance between the posts.
The Atoms struggled to make any headway against an experienced team whose game management saw them take the spoils.
