Penrith overcame Windscale 4-0 in the Fred Conway Cumberland County Cup when the Northern League side’s clinical finishing was a crucial factor.
Windscale, from the Wearside League, gave a good account of themselves against a team two leagues higher them in the League pyramid, the score line not reflective of the balance of play.
The Atoms were first to threaten in the 3rd minute, Ross Leeson firing in a shot which went wide of the goal.
Both teams were creating potential scoring opportunities, Lewis Jolly, Will Rooke and Lewis Selkirk prominent in attack for the visitors, while Luke Hunter, Connor Hammell and Kingsley Grandison were always a threat for the hosts.
Hunter was presented with a chance for Penrith in the 18th minute from a corner failing to make the desired contact. Two minutes later Penrith were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box, Grandison sending his kick well wide of goal.
The Atoms were next to threaten in the 23rd minute, Louie Hall was picked out by Leeson but his powerful drive struck the stanchion.
Penrith opened their account in the 31st minute, when captain Luke Brown guided the ball beyond Atoms keeper Fin Stephenson to give them a 1-0 lead at the break.
Penrith increased their lead in the 47th minute in controversial circumstances. A hand-ball by a Penrith defender was not picked up by the referee or either of his assistants, and play was allowed to continue with DJ Taylor slotting home Penrith’s second.
Then a shot from Taylor in the 53rd minute took a wicked deflection, wrong footing Stephenson, with the ball nestling in the back of the net.
The Atoms were not intent on rolling over continuing to contest every ball but Penrith demonstrated why they are a Northern League outfit, retaining the ball well on their Astroturf surface.
Rooke sent in a shot from a throw-in which cleared the crossbar, while substitute Harry Hodgson warmed the hands of Penrith keeper Craig Hunter.
Despite their best efforts the Atoms were unable to register on the scoresheet, Penrith completing the scoring with virtually the last kick of the game when Hunter skilfully lobbed Stephenson from around 30 yards.
Windscale can take heart from their performance. Despite being unable to be credited with a goal, they made Penrith work hard to progress to the next round, with clinical finishing the difference between the teams.
For Penrith it was job done and safely through to the third round, which can be put to the back of the mind now as they go in search of more Northern League points.
You can hear the comments of the respective managers below:
