Windscale completed their third game in the Wearside League continuing their 100% win record to proudly sit top of the table.
It was achieved by a 3-1 home victory against West Auckland Reserves when the visitors were playing their first game in the Premier Division following promotion last season.
Both teams settled into the game early with different approaches. West Auckland used their speedy front men Morghan Claydon and Owen Stephenson to try and get behind the Windscale rear-guard, with the home side happy to retain possession through patient build up play.
It was the Atoms who took the lead in the fifth minute. Lewis Jolly worked hard to intercept a pass from Matt Metcalf in a tight area and picked out Lewis Selkirk.
He, in turn, delivered a cross to the far post where Will Rooke added the finishing touches with a powerful header beyond West Auckland keeper Piotr Banda.
West Auckland were thrown a lifeline in the 24th minute. Ray Sempill was adjudged to have impeded Claydon’s run into the penalty area and the referee awarded the spot kick. However, Atoms Keeper Fin Stephenson flung himself to the right to make a great save from Stuart Hackett’s effort to retain the home side’s lead.
Windscale were grateful to Stephenson again two minutes before the half-time whistle. He made another brilliant stop in a one-on-one situation with Claydon to ensure the home side retained their advantage at the break.
The Atoms increased their lead in the 54th minute. Rooke won a battle for possession to set-up Jolly and after taking a touch, he fired the ball into the far left hand corner of the West Auckland net.
The visitors reduced the arears in the 73rd minute after some loose defending by the Atoms. Failing to clear the ball effectively from a hopeful ball from the left a header looped beyond Stephenson to give West Auckland some hope.
The game was virtually decided four minutes later. Aiden Kegg was chopped down by Charlie Heron who received a yellow card for his troubles. Jolly delivered the resultant free kick into the West Auckland penalty area where Metcalf rose above everyone to deposit his header into the back of the net.
It was a fine display by the Atoms with some good retention play, however, Man of the Match Fin Stephenson played his part in the win.
The award was not only for his save from the penalty but also two saves later in the game from point blank efforts which looked bound for the back of the Atoms’ net.
Windscale are on the road again midweek when they travel to take on Brandon.
