Windscale made the relatively short 96-mile journey for a Wearside League fixture to take on Richmond Town on the artificial surface at the Dave Clark Arena.
It didn’t start well as the Atoms were 2-0 behind but fought back well to return home with a creditable 2-2 draw.
In an even first half, Windscale thought they had taken the lead when a header by Matty Pierce struck the Richmond Town crossbar. Tthe loose ball was tapped into goal but subsequently chalked off for offside.
The Atoms were always threatening from set pieces, particularly from corner kicks. Scott Leeming, between the posts for Richmond, benefitted from a number of over-protective decisions by the match official.
Richmond, as usual, were always dangerous on the counter attack due to the pace within their team.
This tactic was having little success until the 39th minute. A slip in midfield by Andrew Begbie allowed Richmond to gain possession and advance on the Windscale goal.
A shot from the edge of the penalty area took a wicked deflection, wrong footing Atoms custodian Lee Jolly and the ball subsequently rolled into the net.
Richmond’s advantage was doubled two minutes later to take a 2-0 lead into the break.
Windscale central defender Stevie Walker made a challenge for the ball which resulted in a Richmond attacker going to ground.
The match official interpreted the challenge as foul play, awarding a penalty kick which was despatched beyond Jolly.
Windscale dominated the second period and the Richmond keeper made three exceptional saves to keep his side in front.
But the Atoms reduced the arrears in the 55th minute with a header at the back post by Lewis Jolly.
It was all Windscale now with Richmond just having the odd counter attack but unable to provide any scoring threat.
Windscale levelled the scores with 15 minutes to go. After working the ball forward a pass eventually found Matt Metcalf just inside the angle of the penalty area,
Metcalf smashed the ball towards the near post. Leeming, yet again got a strong hand to the ball but was unable to prevent it hitting the back of the net.
With the score even at 2-2, the dominant Atoms went looking for another goal to give them all three points from the game.
Leeming again came to Richmond’s rescue as Jolly was sent through one on one with the keeper only for him to make yet another outstanding save.
It was a good performance from Windscale after losing two first half goals and battling back to share the spoils.
The Atoms are at home on Wednesday night when they take on Mirehouse FC in the Fred Conway County Cup, Kick-off is 7pm.
