Windscale ended their recent barren run of results with a 3-1 mid-week victory over Annfield Plain at the Falcon Complex in the Wearside League.
The kick-off was delayed due to travelling difficulties experienced by the Annfield squad.
On a playable, but rain affected pitch, it was the visiting side who enjoyed the opening exchanges. Their long ball game, which they utilised most of the game initially providing some success.
They created the first scoring opportunity after two minutes. Lewis Jolly, failing to make a tackle in mid-field, allowed the ball to be played forward into a dangerous area, but fortunately for the Atoms, Keiron Gohrey fired his effort wide of the goal from the edge of the penalty area.
Annfield Plain forward Archie Small was denied a scoring opportunity five minutes later when he was flagged offside due to a good line held by the hosts back four.
Windscale eventually got a foothold in the game after 15 minutes, with Ross Leeson and Jack Wordsworth particularly caused Annfield Plain problems down the right flank.
Likewise, Jolly on the left who worked the ball well and delivered some excellent crosses into the box, kept Annfield custodian Liam Chatton on his toes.
Annfield were denied a penalty when Aiden Stanton appeared to be brought down in the area, with the match official, who was in a good position, ignoring the appeal and waved play on.
It was the Atoms who broke the deadlock in the 34th minute which they held to the break.
Stevie Walker delivered a defence splitting pass to find Lewis Selkirk who advanced into the box before pulling the ball back to Jack Wordsworth who, despite being under pressure, calmly stroked the ball into the net.
It was Annfield Plain who again started the second period the better bringing the scores level early in the half. Ryan Fitzwilliam opted to slide tackle an opponent from behind and concede a penalty, with Aiden Stanton making no mistake from the spot.
The Atoms bounced back well from this set-back. Jolly and Wordsworth continued to threaten with Reece Fretwell and Rhys Singleton applying pressure from mid-field to create a number of half chances.
The hosts eventually regained the lead in the 67th minute with a superb strike from an unlikely source. Leeson broke up an Annfield attack, charged forward into the opposition half from his right back position, and unleashed a strike which flew over Chatton into the left hand side top bin.
Annfield Plain continued to apply pressure and were unfortunate not to gain parity when a header from Stanton eight yards out looked destined for the back of the Atoms net, but Lee Jolly produced the save of the night, clawing the ball away to safety.
The visitors continued to launch more long balls forward, the Atoms showing real battling qualities and for the first time in weeks, were able to call on a strong bench to manage the game out.
The points were sealed when substitute Dean Fox scored the third goal for the Atoms, heading home a cross from Man of the Match Wordsworth.
