Windscale earned a deserved point from a 2-2 draw with Wearside League title challengers Gateshead Leam Rangers.
The Rangers, who have been vying with Darlington Town for the Championship sent a strong team across to the Falcon for this midweek fixture.
The points were shared in an entertaining game that was end-to-end from the start, and the result in doubt until the final whistle.
The first goal worthy attempt came from the Atoms in the 8th minute. Will Rooke spotted Gateshead keeper Jordan Bolton off his line, lifted the ball over him only to see the effort float wide of the goal.
Gateshead were quick to respond with Windscale forced into defensive action being required to make several tackles to thwart Gateshead’s lively attacking force of Joe Innes, Cameron Arthurs and Kieron Clarke.
Windscale were also causing problems for the Rangers with Rooke, Lewis Jolly, Andrew Begbie and Lewis Selkirk keeping Bolton and his defence on their toes.
Despite the number of efforts on each goal, neither team were able to register on the scoresheet, and the half ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
It took the Atoms three minutes into the second period to register the first goal of the contest. Dan Morgan delivered an inviting cross into the Gateshead penalty box with Matt Metcalf beating the onrushing Bolton to the ball and guide it into the net.
Gateshead drew level in the 60th minute. Arthurs picked up the ball just inside the Atoms penalty area and fired it into the top corner giving Jolly no chance.
There was an instant response from Windscale, for two minutes after conceding they took the lead again through debutant Aiden Kegg. Jolly slipped his defender to feed Begbie whose strikewas subsequently deflected to Kegg who nonchalantly sloteds the ball home.
Parity was restored in the 69th minute when Arthurs notched his and Gateshead’s second. Set free between the Atoms centre backs by Clarke, Arthurs slotted the ball into the bottom corner despite the best efforts of Jolly.
This was the end of the scoring but not of the action, with both teams going for the kill but unable to increase their goals tally. A share of the spoils was probably justified by the effort put in by both sides.
Windscale now face another two games this week. They are away to Norton and Stockton Ancients this Wednesday, followed by another trip to the North East to take on Bishop Auckland Reserves on Saturday.
