Windscale returned to the Falcon Complex following their run of five successive away fixtures in the Wearside League to entertain Gateshead Leam Rangers.
It is always a physical, but entertaining game, and it ws no different this time from a 1-1 draw.
Both clubs are in the top five and the Atoms would have leapfrogged the visitors into third place had they managed to edge the game with a victory.
For the last three seasons Leam Rangers have been in the frame to gain promotion to the Northern League, setting out their stall for this game with the same intent. Gateshead are always committed and high in energy making them tough to beat.
The first score of the game went to the visitors in the 13th minute when they had shaded the majority of the play.
Following a break down the right the ball was pulled back from the goal line, and Carl Taylor composed himself well to slot the ball beyond Atoms keeper Fin Stephenson.
Windscale themselves had created the better chances up to this point as their pace up front always caused problems for the visitors.
Keeper Jordan Bolton had to be on his toes, particularly when making a great save from Rhys Singleton after he was put through one-on-one with the keeper.
Parity was restored in the 25th minute. Jack Wordsworth broke from deep, manages to ride a wild challenge from Kyle Fairlie and with play being allowed to continue, he carried on forward to fire in a shot at goal.
The ball somehow found the back of the Gateshead net under Bolton’s body before the match official cautioned Fairlie for his challenge on Wordsworth.
It was Bolton’s turn to be issued with a caution after handling the ball several yards out of his area.
In this instance, due to the number of players challenging for the ball, it was probably the correct coloured card as it was difficult to determine if contact with the ball was deliberate.
Approaching half time with the score at 1-1, the Atoms were forced to substitute Ryan Fitzwilliam.
Following a challenge there appeared to be an off the ball incident with the Windscale player receiving a nasty gash to his leg which ultimately required 23 staples to close the wound.
The incident soured the last few minutes of the half so the referee’s whistle was welcome to allow both teams a 15-minute cooling off period.
Gateshead started the second period on the front foot, any threat being thwarted by some resolute Atoms defending, with Reece Fretwell, Stevie Walker and Byran Todd in particular strong in the challenge.
The Atoms themselves created a number of half chances with Lee Jolly, Will Rooke and Lewis Selkirk prominent but unable to conjure up anything capable of giving Bolton too much trouble.
Gateshead were reduced to ten men with 19 minutes to go when Fairlie was dismissed for a second yellow card. Despite this Gateshead were still intent on chasing a goal that would bring all three points.
It was this approach that opened up their defensive line allowing the Atoms more space behind. Ross Leeson was unfortunate to see a header come back off the Gateshead crossbar while another effort went the wrong side of the post into the side netting.
The visitors provided the last scoring opportunity but a shot by Kieron Clark was blocked by Aiden Kegg without Stephenson needing to intervene.
With the surface getting heavier towards the end and draining energy levels, both teams can take credit for producing an engrossing match.
The draw stalemate, which over the 90 minutes could have gone either way, was probably the right outcome.
The Atoms have a free week next Saturday before a trip to West Auckland Reserves awaits them in two weeks’ time, giving them 14 days in which to get some of the walking wounded back to fitness.
You can listen to manager Stephen Fawcett’s thoughts on the game below:
