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Waters sets the trend for dominant Wexford

Wexford 2-23 Down1-12: WEXFORD COLLECTED their second brace of points but it was anything but impressive against a feeble Down…

Mon Mar 01 2010 - 00:00

Wexford 2-23 Down1-12:WEXFORD COLLECTED their second brace of points but it was anything but impressive against a feeble Down challenge at Wexford Park yesterday.

A goal after only 90 seconds from Wexford full forward Tomás Waters set the trend in what was a cruel blow to Down, who badly needed a good start.

To the Ulster side’s credit, having fallen 1-4 to 0-2 behind inside 12 minutes, they battled back to get level by the 14th minute.

Eoin Clarke pointed a free before a Gareth Johnson goal from a semi-penalty left the minimum separating the sides, while on 14 minutes a long-range Simon Wilson free had the sides level, 1-4 each.

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But that was as good as it got for the Down side as Wexford gradually regained control. Four points on the trot from Andrew Shore, Diarmuid Lyng (two frees) and PJ Nolan edged the home side back into a 1-8 to 1-4 lead by the 21st minute.

While Down may have kept on battling, Wexford tagged on a further six points by the break, with Jim Berry, substitute Peter Atkinson, Rory Jacob, Waters with two, and Berry, again, having them leading 1-14 to 1-5 at the interval.

The visitors were given an opportunity to reduce the deficit two minutes into additional time but Johnson’s semi-penalty was blocked away to safety this time.

Down resumed the second half with a Simon Wilson point from play but Wexford responded with a Lyng point. Whatever chance Down had of hauling themselves back into the game disappeared when centre back Conor Woods was sent off with a straight red card for a wild pull on 42 minutes.

With Diarmuid Lyng picking off some excellent points, Wexford’s second goal arrived in the 49th minute. Darren Stamp floated a free to the edge of the square where Jim Berry pounced on the breaking ball to shoot past substitute goalkeeper Karl Keating.

Down were unable to reply as playing an attacker short they threatened little up front, with only long-range efforts from Simon Wilson frees making an impact. Wexford were dominating the game, with the points continuing to flow from Lyng and Berry as they strolled to the most comfortable of victories.

In two weeks, Wexford face their toughest game – away to Clare – knowing that further improvement is needed. Down are in a battle to avoid relegation, having suffered consecutive defeats.

WEXFORD:D Flynn; D Kehoe, P Roche, K Rossiter; D Stamp, C Kenny, R Kehoe; PJ Nolan (0-1), M Travers; A Shore (0-1), W Doran, D Lyng (0-11, five frees, one 65); R Jacob (0-2), T Waters (1-2), J Berry (1-4). Subs:P Atkinson (0-2) for Doran, C Farrell for Travers, S Banville for Nolan, P Nolan for Stamp.

DOWN:G Clarke; L Clarke, S Murray, F Conway; S Wilson (0-5, three frees, one 65), C Woods, S Ennis; C O'Prey, C Coulter; E Clarke (0-1, free), G Johnson (1-1, frees), B Ennis (0-2); J McCuskar (0-1), P Braniff, P Keith (0-2). Subs:R McGrattan for Conway, K Keating for G Clarke, P Flynn for Keith, S Clarke for McCuskar, P McAleenan for O'Prey. Referee:J O'Mahoney (Limerick).