Windscale travelled for their fifth successive away fixture taking on Farringdon Detached in the second round of the Shipowners Cup and were emphatic 8-1 winners.
After the first half the Atoms led 1-0 at the break, as they appeared to be a little heavy legged and lethargic despite the fact that five fresh faces had been added to the squad.
Will Rooke had opened the scoring for the visitors after 10 minutes, lashing the ball home from six yards following a cross from Lewis Jolly.
Farringdon missed a gilt edged chance to restore parity when Robert Thompson caught the Atoms napping but his effort cleared the crossbar.
Windscale created a couple of chances during the run up to half-time, Jolly was denied by Farringdon keeper Brandon Stinton-Ames when through on goal before Ross Leeson headed wide a cross from Aiden Kegg.
Farringdon almost got on the scoresheet for the Atoms with an own goal, a defender’s header struck their goalpost when attempting to clear an Atoms attack.
Windscale manager Stephen Fawcett made two substitutions at the start of the second half, introducing Lewis Selkirk and Byron Todd.
The changes made an impact almost immediately when Selkirk sent in an unstoppable header beyond Sinton-Ames from a cross by Todd three minutes after the restart.
The Atoms increased their lead to 4-0 following a purple patch from Jolly.
He notched his first after working hard to win possession then slotting the ball into the Farringdon net. His second of the game was from close range, following a cross from Jack Wordsworth in the 64th minute.
Farringdon were given a life-line, reducing the arrears when they were awarded a penalty. Thompson beat Fin Stephenson for the only time in the game with his spot kick
Virtually from the kick-off Farringdon shot themselves in the foot when they were reduced to ten men after they had a man dismissed for an agricultural challenge as the Atoms forged an attack. The imbalance in numbers was evident almost instantly as Will Rooke headed home a corner for the Atoms fifth.
It was virtually all- one way traffic for the remainder of the game with Windscale adding a further three goals prior to the final whistle. Leo Brennan and Harry Hodgson were involved in all three.
Hodgson’s strike was sandwiched between a brace from Brennan. It was a welcome return to Wearside football for Brennan who has just got back from injury after suffering a broken leg at the start of the 2023/24 season.
The Atoms have a mouth-watering fixture at the week-end when they entertain high flying Gateshead Leam Rangers at the Falcon Complex, kicking off at 2pm.
You can here manager Stephen Fawcett’s thoughts below:
