Windscale lost for the third time this season against South Moor, this time 1-0 in the Monkwearmouth Cup.
The Stanley side have proved the bogey team for the Atoms, winning twice this season home and away.
The Atoms have failed to record a result against them since 2023, in a dramatic 5-4 comeback, which saw the Atoms 3-0 down at the break.
Without skipper Reece Fretwell, and the aerial threat of Matthew Pierce, the Atoms travelled with only two recognised central midfielders, both of whom have played the majority of the season in the back line.
A change of shape was needed, which saw a set up of four in the middle, with Travis Fyfe and Rob Davidson sitting behind Harry Hodgson, and it was that combination which saw the Atoms have their first chance at goal.
Hodgson and Fyfe linked up well before sliding it through to Davidson, who should have fired home, but instead opted for a chip which was palmed wide for a corner.
Then some good pressure by Windscale skipper for the day Ross Leeson, saw Davidson pick up the ball in space, and then threaded a pass through for Hodgson.
After running past his man he was through on goal, but this was cut short.
Despite Hodgson being a good three yards onside, and having to breeze past his man, he was flagged offside, the first of many somewhat calamitous decisions.
South Moor settled well into the game, retaining possession and attempting to break down the stubborn Cumbrian side, which almost came to fruition as centre back Daniel Sinden, who was the South Moor custodian in the reverse fixture at The Falcon Complex, sent a fantastic wide pass over the head of Callum Bell to his full back Kyle Fazakerly.
The cross was whipped in and glanced over from short range by Matty Allison, who really should’ve found the back of the net.
The Atoms enjoyed more of the ball towards the conclusion of the first half, and a good chance came after Fyfe retained the ball well and won a foul.
The resulting free kick was delivered by Daniel Morgan, met by the head of high-rising Andrew Begbie, but was steered wide of the goal by Ray Sempill.
In added time the ball was misplaced by South Moor, which allowed Bell to press, and put it out for a throw.
Subsequently, the South Moor winger bundled himself over Bell.
A free kick was awarded, and Bell was carded, much to the disbelief of the onlooking crowd and management.
At half time, with the scores still level, the Atoms felt a second gear was required to try and win the game.
On 53 minutes South Moor had the first attempt at breaking the deadlock.
Drew Lake rounded Levi McAdam, and squared the ball to a team-mate, who was met by Leeson, Morgan and Joe Atkinson, all putting in superb defensive covering to keep the scoreline blank.
The Atoms had cause for concern at a corner when there was a collision between Jack Wordsworth and Andrew Begbie which caused a stoppage, before both could carry on. Wordsworth was later withdrawn after a head injury assessment and was replaced by Kieran Lawson.
Two minutes later, South Moor struck, as a long ball was kept in play by Dan Gorczynski, as he cut back against the retreating defence and slotted the ball into the top right corner with a powerful drive.
The Atoms made a double change, seeing Bell and Hodgson replaced by Jayden Fulton and Lewis Selkirk, in an attempt to revitalise the attack.
South Moor broke on the counter after sitting in deep, but Morgan was on hand to make a fine tackle.
South Moor should’ve been awarded a chance from the spot, as Ryan Fitzwilliam, newly subbed on for Atkinson, brought down Gorczynski, to which the linesman was waving his flag, signalling penalty, but the referee did not want to know and waved away the shouts.
Appalled by the decision, South Moor top scorer Lake appeared to disagree with the referee, but no more than what you’d see anywhere else, and he was sinbinned for 10 of the last 14 minutes of the game.
With their opponents a man down, the Atoms could smell blood, and pushed South Moor back in their own final third.
There were several attempts by Selkirk, Fulton, Begbie and Sempill, as the Atoms went in search of the equaliser.
Begbie received an elbow in the back of his head inside the area, as the Atoms claimed for their own spot kick.
It wasn’t given but the game was stopped for Begbie to receive treatment and then an uncontested drop ball at the feet of South Moor keeper, Curtis Richardson.
Windscale were pushed very high, and when South Moor cleared their lines, the ball was found to be through for South Moor sub Dom Pegram, who was a good five yards offside.
The linesman hesitated and did not put his flag up, causing outrage amongst the Windscale ranks, and left the supporters utterly shocked at what was happening.
McAdam thwarted any effort thrown at him in the closing minutes, but Windscale were unable to conjure an equaliser, as the official blew his whistle and ended the game.
At full time, the decisions were questioned by second-in-command Richardson, which saw him double yellow carded, and sent off after the full time whistle.
The Atoms will look quickly to turn their poor form around, as they have a short turnaround when they face a trip to Richmond Town on Tuesday which is an 8pm kick off.
Hear from manager Stephen Fawcett below:
