Division One B/Wexford 2-13 Down 1-13: Wexford's footballers bravely survived a character-testing experience on Down's favourite training ground in Newcastle yesterday.
Pat Roe's side mustered sufficient resilience to stave off the rallying home side in a roller-coaster last quarter. The erosion of Wexford's eight-point third-quarter lead began to accelerate at an alarming rate when Down changed their attacking strategy to the early long ball into their capable front-runners.
Dan Gordon and late substitute Ambrose Rogers took control of the midfield. Wexford's challenge in the vital central area was further weakened by the departure of Nicky Lambert, who was yellow-carded with 12 minutes remaining.
Down were on the rampage at this stage and and shot five unanswered points.
PJ Banville was a timely substitution for Wexford. He played a crucial role in linking up with Matty Forde to send Redmond Barry through for a point that ended a barren spell for the visitors.
Later Banville pointed himself to momentarily steady the ship for a disorganised Wexford who had to bring back Forde from the corner to take up a roving role between half forward and midfield.
The Down surge was relentless and wing back John Clarke and Brendan Coulter tacked on further points to leave three between the sides in injury-time.
Brave-hearted Wexford midfielder Diarmuid Kinsella tried to kick a much-needed insurance point, but he was wide of the mark.
The final whistle sounded like sweet music to Wexford's ears.
Manager Roe was disappointed, however. "We let them back into it and this is worrying," he said.
Forde, despite contributing uncharacteristically to Wexford's 13 wides, kicked six points. Afterwards he was emphatic "We didn't ease up. They came at us strongly, it's as simple as that."
Apart from Wexford's 13 wayward attempts, against five for Down, the visitors missed a first- half penalty, sent wide by John Hudson. The captain did, however, contribute two goals and a point.
The Starlights man netted his first goal to cancel out Dan Gordon's 10th-minute effort for Down, after Forde's initial effort came back off the crossbar.
Hudson's second goal earned Wexford a double-scores lead of 2-8 to 1-4 shortly after half-time.
The penalty award resulted after Down full back Adrian Scullion was adjudged to have illegally footblocked a shot by David Fogarty int he 11th minute. Before the spot kick was taken Scullion was yellow-carded.
Down had to start without their star midfielder Alan Molloy and were unlucky when Wexford full back Phillip Wallace denied a good goal attempt by Gordon. Later, Wexford goalkeeper John Cooper showed his ability when denying Shane Ward a goal at the death.
Down manager Paddy O'Rourke said his side had learned a lot from the experience: "For one thing, the value of the long ball was hugely beneficial when we used it."
They dominated the final 20 minutes, putting Wexford, who had reached cruising speed, under the cosh. Down's opening attempts in the first quarter were laden with promise, especially after Gordon's goal, but they failed to score again for a long stretch.
Down's performance generally seesawed between brilliant and mediocre, as did Wexford's to a certain extent. Wexford led by 1-7 to 1-3 at half-time.
WEXFORD: J Cooper; C Morris, P Wallace, N Murphy; R Mageean, D Murphy (0-1), S Cullen (0-1); D Kinsella (0-1), N Lambert; R Barry (0-2), P Colfer, J Hegarty; D Fogarty, J Hudson (2-1), M Forde (0-6, one free). Subs: G Sunderland for Mageean (12 mins), K Kennedy for Fogarty (27 mins), M Gahon for N Murphy (28 mins), PJ Banville (0-1) for Hegarty (42 mins), J Lawlor for Lambert (yellow card).
DOWN: B McVeigh; D Barry, A Scullion, D Rafferty; J Clarke (0-5, three frees), B Grant, A Rice; M Cole, C McCrickard; R Murtagh (0-1), S Ward, R Sexton (0-1); B Coulter (0-4), D Gordon (1-0), D Hughes (0-2). Subs: J Doran for Scullion (yellow card); A Rogers for McCrickard (40); A O'Prey for Sexton (41); A Brannigan for Cole (60).
YELLOW CARDS: Wexford: N Lambert (58 mins); Down: A Scullion (11 minutes)
Referee: G Devlin (Armagh).
