Windscale’s midweek fixture at Durham Corinthians in the Wearside League produced a close game, with the hosts edging it 2-0.
There was plenty of effort from both sides with very little between them. Windscale were particularly active in the early stages with efforts on goal by Dean Fox, Rhys Singleton and Jack Wordsworth.
Ross Leeson and Wordsworth, in particular, were creating problems for Durham down the right flank.
The Atoms injury jinx resurfaced yet again when keeper Lee Jolly had to be replaced by Andrew Richardson 15 minutes into the game.
Corinthians took the lead in the 24th minute against the run of play. A header back to Richardson by Ryan Fitzwilliam fell short of the recently installed keeper and a goal-bound shot by Joss Harker was brilliantly parried away by Richardson.
Unfortunately for the Cumbrians, the loose ball fell kindly to Matthew Halliday who tapped home at the back post.
The Atoms were unfortunate not to level the scores shortly after. Following some great play out wide by Matty Pierce and Fox, the ball across the Corinthians’ box was gratefully intercepted by Durham custodian Harry Renwick.
The hosts doubled their advantage ten minutes before the break in similar circumstances to their first goal. Richardson again made a great stop from a close range effort, but the loose ball was again slotted home at the far post by Harker.
Durham were indebted to their keeper again a couple of minutes prior to the half-time whistle. A marauding run down the right saw Leeson whip over a great cross to Lewis Selkirk whose goal bound header was brilliantly tipped round the post by Renwick.
The second period saw the teams cancelling each other out with both keepers coming to the fore. Selkirk sent Singleton through on goal for the Atoms, but Renwick again prevented a score, deflecting the ball wide with an outstretched leg.
Richardson also made some good stops with neither team able to affect the score line in the last 45 minutes.
It was a battling effort by the Atoms who host Championship favourites, Darlington Town at the Falcon Complex on Saturday with a 2pm kick-off.
