After a defeat and two draws in their previous three matches, Windscale took all three points in a competitive and entertaining game against an energetic Hartlepool Youth side, edging the result 3-2.
The Atoms dominated the early stages creating a few chances, the best of which saw a Lewis Jolly strike being well saved by Hartlepool keeper Adam Lewis.
Despite Windscale’s early possession it was Hartlepool that took the lead after just six minutes. A long run down the left wing by Jamie Tumelty ended with a low cross into the box and Carl O’Sullivan hammered the ball into the back of the net from six yards.
The goal by the visitors had no impact on the pattern of play, as the Atoms passing in possession was much better than had been of late with some good one touch football.
After creating a number of good chances the Atoms gained parity in the 41st minute. Will Rooke collected the ball wide of the Hartlepool left hand post, played a one two pass with Lewis Selkirk before finally stroking the ball home to leave the scores level at the break.
Hartlepool regained the lead with a sucker punch three minutes after the restart. A long hopeful cross from Carl O’Sullivan evaded everyone to nestle in the Atoms’ goal at the back post.
It took the goal of the game in the 77th minute by Reece Fretwell to bring the Atoms level for the second time. Another cross from wide was headed away by Hartlepool’s Danny Coates, but Fretwell volleyed the ball straight back past a bemused and helpless Hartlepool keeper from 20 yards.
The goal appeared to knock the wind out of the visitors for a while and Windscale began to search for a winner. This duly arrived in the 80th minute courtesy of Rhys Singleton. A well flighted cross from Jolly was not cleared effectively and Singleton lashed the loose ball home.
The game was by no means over, as Hartlepool are always competitive and are not the kind of team to lie down.
However, following an unsavoury incident they had a player dismissed with five minutes remaining and as a consequence, the Atoms were able to manage the game out to earn a favourable result and a valuable three points which takes them back into third place in the table.
Windscale are on their travels this week-end and again next Wednesday. They are in Monkwearmouth Cup action on Saturday against Bishop Auckland Reserves, and League action against Easington on Wednesday evening.
You can hear what manager Stephen Fawcett thought by listening below:
