A poor performance by Windscale last night resulted in a 3-0 home defeat to a competent Barnard Castle side at the Falcon Complex.
It was the visitors who dictated the play as the Atoms did not reach the levels of commitment from the Barnard Castle team.
They used the ball much better when in possession, always finding space and giving the impression they had superior numbers on the pitch.
Despite not creating many scoring chances to trouble Windscale keeper Levi McAdam, Barnard Castle were the dominant team consistently outworking the hosts and pressing the Atoms at every opportunity. .
Windscale found themselves behind in the 28th minute. A ball into the penalty area from wide was powered home with a diving header at the near post by Sol Tones giving the visitors a 1-0 lead which they took into the break.
The same pattern of play continued in the second half, with the Atoms appearing unable to raise their game to the same level as the visitors.
Barnard Castle subsequently increased their advantage with a second goal in the 72nd minute when some sloppy defending allowed Ben Clark to poke the ball beyond McAdam.
The Atoms almost reduced the arrears shortly after. A drive from Reece Fretwell cannoned down from the crossbar and was fired back towards goal, but Castle keeper Matthew Wheeler collected Lewis Selkirk’s effort.
The contest was over in the 83rd minute when Tones collected his second goal. Yet another defensive error allowed him to run through unchallenged to deposit the ball into the back of the net.
An improved performance will be required on Saturday when Windscale travel to Annfield Plain. They can expect another challenging game as the hosts are fighting against relegation and will be determined to claim three points in their bid for survival.
You can hear below what manager Stephen Fawcett thought of the performance:
