In the first of five consecutive away fixtures Windscale completed a Wearside League double over Darlington RA with a midweek victory.
They had travelled to Darlington’s Brinkburn Road ground with a strong squad and took all three points with a 2-0 victory.
It was Darlington who dictated the early play as the Atoms endeavoured to come to terms with the difficulties presented by the pitch conditions.
Darlington’s main ploy was to feed-off the aerial bombardment supplied by keeper Sam Pinnegar’s box to box kicks. Rarely did these create any difficulties, the Windscale back line dealing competently in clearing any danger.
The Atoms began to exert their influence around the 20-minute mark with Lewis Jolly and Lewis Selkirk making Pinnegar work hard with good saves from the duo to keep the scoresheet blank at the break.
Windscale began the second period on the front foot with their first effort of the half in the 47th minute by Aiden Kegg clearing the Darlington crossbar.
Will Rooke was next to bring out the best of Pinnegar who had to make a great save from a header.
The pressure eventually told on the hour mark when the Atoms took the lead from a free kick a couple of yards outside the Darlington penalty area.
It was Rooke who stepped up to hammer the ball beyond the defensive wall into the bottom corner leaving the keeper flat footed.
The Atoms were now in control with Darlington creating very little due to a solid defensive display.
The score line was doubled in the 68th minute with a well-worked goal. A long kick by Atoms keeper Fin Stephenson was collected by Rhys Singleton.
Following some good inter play between Atoms Man of the Match Byran Todd and Reece Fretwell before Jolly left a defender in his wake before firing the ball into the back of the Darlington net.
It was now all about game management by the visitors although Darlington did create a golden opportunity to reduce the arrears late on from a dead ball routine.
The kick on the edge of the Windscale box was pushed wide of the defensive wall, with the subsequent shot missing the target.
With Darlington unable to produce anything of note following this opportunity the Atoms were well worthy of the win enhancing their points total and confirming their third position in the League.
Windscale now have four away Cup games on the bounce, starting with a visit to Norton and Stockton Ancients on Saturday.
You can listen below to what manager Stephen Fawcett thought of the game:
