Wexford landed four two-pointers en-route to Saturday's resounding Division 4 Allianz NFL victory over London at Chadwicks Wexford Park.
The home side were always a step ahead as they exacted revenge having surrendered a costly late draw in the corresponding fixture at the same venue two years ago.
Seán Nolan enjoyed the distinction of landing Wexford’s first-ever two-pointer with an opening free, before adding a single from play.
Defender Martin O’Connor then forced a superb save from the London 'keeper Andrew Walsh before Wexford’s lead swelled as Páraic Hughes grabbed a two-pointer to leave it 0-05 to no score.
Ciarán Diver pegged back a pointed free for the Exiles before their hosts stretched ahead by 0-08 to 0-01 courtesy of midfielder Niall Hughes, a fisted finish by Kevin O’Grady and another Nolan free.
However, a subsequent exchange of scores was followed by London gaining a potential source of inspiration when midfielder Liam Gallagher netted from an assist by Paddy Dolan.
But while the visitors failed to score again for the remainder of the opening period, Wexford made further hay.
Indeed, free-taker Nolan and Niall Hughes supplemented their position with points, before full-back Gavin Sheehan got forward to burst the net on 34 minutes when pouncing as a scoring effort from Tom Byrne dropped short.
And a closing two-pointer from the outstanding Niall Hughes pushed Wexford clear by 1-15 to 1-02 at the change of ends.
The sure-footed finishing of Nolan saw Wexford’s lead widen to 16 points before they were stung by a fortuitous London goal – when Diver’s pointing effort from the left wing broke off the Wexford ‘keeper and to the net in the 58th minute to leave the home side 1-21 to 2-05 ahead.
But Páraic Hughes responded with a brilliant individual goal – gathering some 30 yards out before darting through to slot to the bottom corner – as Wexford swept to the spoils ahead of next Sunday’s trip to Limerick.
Wexford: Colum Feeney; Martin O’Connor, Gavin Sheehan (1-00), Michael Furlong; Glen Malone, Eoghan Nolan (0-01), Eoin Porter (0-01); Tom Byrne (0-01), Niall Hughes (0-05, 1tp); Páraic Hughes (1-02, 1tp), Shane Pettitt (0-04, 1tp); Mark Rossiter; Kevin O’Grady (0-01), Seán Nolan (0-09, 1tpf, 0-05 fs), Seán Ryan.
Subs: Seán Barden for E Nolan (49), Dylan Furlong for O’Grady (49), Cathal Kehoe for N Hughes (55), James Lawless for Rossiter (55), Ben Brosnan for Ryan (61).
London: Andrew Walsh; Eoin Walsh, Seán Taylor, Daire Rooney; Ciarán McKeon, Matt Moynihan, Kristian Healy; Aidan McLoughlin, Liam Gallagher (1-00); D.J. O’Flaherty, Joshua Obahor, Ciarán Diver (1-04, 0-04 fs); Paddy Dolan (0-02, 0-02fs), Shay Rafter, Seán Tucker.
Subs: Henry Walsh for Tucker (46), Rúairí Rafferty for Rafter (51), Conor Doran for McKeon (51), Tighe Barry for O’Flaherty (55), Matthew Walsh for Obahor (60).
Referee: Seamus Mulhare (Laois).
