Windscale travelled to compete in their 32nd Wearside League fixture of the season against Bishop Auckland Reserves and lost a tight game 2-1.
The Atoms went behind in the 12th minute to a hotly disputed penalty kick.
There were very few in the stadium that detected any contact with Windscale keeper Lee Jolly’s attempt for the ball as the Bishops player engaged in his acting skills, flopping to the floor to impress the match official. Reece Marsden tucked the resultant spot kick beyond Jolly.
Windscale responded with an effort from Ross Leeson. Lewis Selkirk floated in a corner kick and Leeson’s header shaved the top of the crossbar.
However, the Windscale equaliser did come in the 25th minute. Reece Fretwell delivered a pass to Selkirk who ran behind the Bishops’ defence before chipping the ball to Will Rooke. After some deft control, Rooke lifted the ball over the Bishops’ keeper Luke Bell into the back of the net.
Neither team was able to make any further impression during the half and the score remained 1-1 at the interval.
There was a slow start by both teams on the resumption with little to get excited about. The Atoms went close from a Lewis Jolly corner as Matt Metcalf’s touch sent the ball wide of the post for a goal kick.
Windscale’s persistence in delivering long high balls into the Bishops half was proving to be a fruitless tactic, being easily dealt with by the home side’s two giant central defenders.
The contest was decided in the 79th minute when Regan Nixon slotted the ball home to give the hosts all three points.
It wasn’t a bad performance from the Atoms, given that this was their fourth game in eight days which is a credit to the commitment of the squad of players.
They take on Seaton Carew for their last home fixture of the season on Wednesday, (kick off 7.45pm) at the Falcon Complex. Their final fixture is a visit to Annfield Plain on Saturday.
