Windscale picked up their first three Wearside League points in an absorbing game at the Falcon Complex.
They eventually ran out 3-0 winners against the intriguingly named visitors Hartlepool Pools Youth FC Seniors!
The hosts had the ball in the back of Hartlepool’s net five minutes after kick-off.
A free kick was flicked on by Harry Hodgson for Matty Pierce to head the ball home.
However, goal celebrations were halted by an assistant’s flag deeming Pierce was in an offside position.
It was Hartlepool who had the next opportunity to take the lead three minutes later.
A challenge by the Atoms’ keeper, 18-year-old Levi McAdam was deemed illegal resulting in the award of a penalty.
McAdam was cautioned for his intervention but the keeper redeemed himself by diving across goal to save Ryan Robinson’s spot kick.
Windscale opened the scoring in the 12th minute through another of their young squad, 17- year-old Jayden Fulton.
After picking-up the ball Fulton jinked his way behind the Hartlepool defence and slotted the ball home beyond Hartlepool keeper, Jacob Crawley.
The visitor’s response was to apply pressure to the Atoms defence probing for a goal to bring parity.
Crawley was involved heavily with these bombing a number of long balls forward from his area setting up a number of potential opportunities.
However, the Atoms defence remained steadfast to clear any threat on goal.
Fulton almost increased the Atoms lead on two occasions leading up to the break.
In the 28th minute Callum Bell blocked a clearance from Crawley with the ball falling to Fulton, his shot ricocheting off the crossbar.
The Fulton v Crawley dual continued in the 34th minute. A shot from the young striker was arrowing towards the top corner, only for Crawley to prevent a goal diving to his left to make a superb save to leave the score 1-0 after 45 minutes of an entertaining half.
The Atoms increased their lead three minutes into the second period. Harry Hodgson found Andrew Begbie who’s first shot was scrambled away by Crawley.
However, Begbie picked up the rebound to navigate his way around the keeper and slip the ball into the net.
Windscale were on the back foot following a number of substitutions by Hartlepool which changed their approach to a back three and pushing players further forward.
The game consequently became more intense with the Atoms Ryan Fitzwilliam cautioned for a challenge.
There were also yellow cards for 18 year old Callum Bell and Pool’s Luke Swirls, the incident causing a mass player confrontation.
The issue was addressed appropriately by the match officials.
It was ITV’s 1% Quiz winner Dom Jackson who had the final say in the game, coming on for the Atoms as a substitute for Man of the Match Fulton in the 91st minute.
Crawley who had advanced from his goal towards the halfway line, missed his kick to clear the ball allowing Jackson to run 25 yards beyond him to tap the ball into the net.
It was a good performance by Windscale while the 3-0 score was not reflective of what could have been the final score as both teams carved out numerous chances.
However, the Atoms will welcome the three points on the board as they have a difficult three away games on the bounce ahead of them.
These start with Washington on Tuesday evening, Shotton Colliery next Saturday and rounding off with Brandon on the following Wednesday.
Here’s what Stephen Fawcett had to say:
