Sport

Wexford prove far too strong for Longford

Wexford - 1-12 Longford - 1-6: Wexford registered an important win in their quest for promotion when they had the comfortable…

Mon Feb 10 2003 - 00:00

Wexford - 1-12 Longford - 1-6:Wexford registered an important win in their quest for promotion when they had the comfortable margin of six points to spare over a very disappointing Longford side at Pearse Park yesterday.

In what was a poor game, a physically stronger Wexford were the better team on the day but were somewhat flattered to be leading by 0-6 to 0-2 at the break.

Nothing really went right for Longford as they failed to settle into their stride and their cause was certainly not helped by the six costly wides they kicked in the first half, three of which were from kickable frees.

The accurate Mattie Forde was in fine scoring form for the visitors as he converted five frees in the first half, with midfielder Robert Hassey accounting for the other Wexford point as he blasted the ball over the bar from close range.

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Padraic Davis (free) and Paul Barden (sideline kick) replied for Longford, who eventually registered their first score from play with 11 minutes of normal time remaining.

Barden's effort deflected in off the upright but the home side still trailed by 0-9 to 0-5 at that stage and Wexford regained the upper hand to notch a further 1-3 on the trot, their goal coming from impressive wing forward John Hudson three minutes into stoppage time.

Longford centre half back Enda Ledwith scored a consolation goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time.

LONGFORD: T Conra; D Brady, C Conefrey, D Ledwith; M Mulleady, E Ledwith (1-0), A O'Connor; L Keenan, D Smyth; R Clyne, P Barden, (0-2, one sideline kick), P Shanley; T Smullen, N Sheridan, P Davis (0-3, all frees). Subs: D Barden for Smith (29 mins, M Kenny (0-1) for Sheridan (56 mins), J Martin for Smullen, injured, (72 mins), J Dowd for Keenan (74 mins).

WEXFORD: J Cooper; C Morris, P Wallace, N Murphy; R Mallon, D Murphy, L O'Brien; R Hassey (0-1), W Carley; J Hudson (1-1), P Colfer, D Breen; P Carley (0-1), M Forde (0-7, all frees), J Hegarty. Subs: P Curtis for O'Brien, injured, (11 mins), T Mahon (0-2) for Hassey, inj, (42 mins), JJ Doyle for Colfer (60 mins), T Wall for Wallace, injured, (66 mins).

Referee: H Beirne (Roscommon).