Windscale dented table toppers Leam Rangers promotion hopes with a battling, but deserved 3-0 victory at the Falcon Complex.
Gateshead have a team of players that combine their quality with commitment and a high level of aggression and almost opened the scoring from their very first attack.
Levi McAdam denied Adam Byron with an impressive save from a close range strike and the Windscale keeper continued his form throughout the game with some confident handling providing the foundation for a solid defensive display by the Atoms.
Windscale, who have suffered recently with player availability due mainly to injury compounded by shift work and family commitments, had only 14 players confirmed fit on the morning of the game.
To add to team manager Stephen Fawcett’s frustration, his squad was reduced to 13 a couple of hours prior to kick-off with another injury withdrawal.
As the saying goes, one man’s misfortune is another’s opportunity.
Two players Ben Mahaffy and Harry Hodgson who have had limited playing time, grabbed their chance with both hands.
Hodgson, Mahaffy and Travis Fyfe settled into the game well, producing a number of worrying moments for the Gateshead defensive back line.
The breakthrough came two minutes before the interval.
Owen Woodburn, with a slick pass to Mahaffy who picked out Hodgson saw him steer the ball beyond James Lone into the back of the Leam net to give the hosts a 1-0 half-time advantage.
It was Hodgson who struck again in the 58th minute to double his tally and the Atoms lead.
A miscommunication between Lone and Gateshead captain Curtis Aitken gifted the ball to Hodgson who gratefully lifted the ball over the head of the stranded Lone from 35 yards.
This setback did not deter the visitors who had Windscale under pressure for long periods during the final 30 minutes of the half.
Some resolute defending and a never say die attitude by all in a Windscale shirt continued to deny the league leaders.
Despite Gateshead using all of their five substitutes they were unable to effect a change.
The result was virtually decided 15 minutes from the end when the Atoms notched their third and the final goal of the game.
Jack Wordsworth pressed the Gateshead defence into panic mode and another defensive error, which resulted in Mahaffy clipping the ball into the empty net.
This was the first victory over Leam Rangers in Fawcett’s five-year management tenure of the Atoms.
Although it was not a game for footballing connoisseurs it was proof that hard work, belief and commitment can pay dividends.
It was impossible to pick a Man of the Match with sterling performances by every one of the 13 players in Windscale colours, for a deserved three points.
Windscale travel to Easington Lane next week hoping to pick up another three points to hopefully help them to achieve their target of a top eight finish.
Although that may just be beyond their reach, performances like this make it potentially within their grasp.
Hear Fawcett’s view below:
