The start of Windscale’s penultimate away fixture in the Wearside League was severely delayed due to a breakdown with the team coach on the way to take on second placed Norton.
A replacement coach was summoned which meant the fixture, which was due to kick-off at 7.45pm was delayed for 30 minutes.
The delay gave very little preparation time for the Atoms and under the circumstances they did well against a leading side to just lose out 2-1, conceding the winning goal in added time.
The poor build-up showed in their first half performance as Norton were the dominant team, taking the lead after only seven minutes with a goal from Harry Minto.
Windscale could have been 3-0 down in the first half but Norton were suppressed by some poor finishing and an excellent performance by Lee Jolly between the sticks for the visitors.
Rhys Singleton provided Windscale’s first effort on goal after 44 minutes, but his shot from distance was turned round the post by Norton keeper Kieron Ezard to leave the score 1-0 to the hosts at the interval.
The break gave the Atoms some respite and they were a different team at the start of the second period, producing more energy and determination.
Lewis Jolly, Matt Metcalf, Lewis Selkirk, Jack Wordsworth and Ray Sempill gave Ezard plenty to keep his fingers warm. Singleton hitting another strike which brought a fantastic save to keep the host ahead.
Parity was achieved in the 63rd minute. A well delivered corner by Jolly was met by Ross Leeson who sent a bullet header into the back of the Norton goal.
Both teams were producing some good attacking play and the game seemed to be drifting towards a 1-1 draw. However, Norton nicked a goal in the second minute of the five minutes of added time through Ryan Watson.
Windscale continued to apply pressure looking for another equalising goal and Norton were grateful to Ezard yet again when he was forced to make three goal-line saves from close range strikes by the Atoms in the remaining minutes of play.
It was another commendable away performance from Windscale who are on their travels again to take on Bishop Auckland Reserves on Saturday.
They complete their league programme when they entertain Seaton Carew at the Falcon on Wednesday with a 7.45pm kick-off, finishing off with a visit to Annfield Plain the following Saturday.
