Wexford needed a determined second half performance to get the better of London on a 1-13 to 1-08 scoreline in Allianz Football League Division 4 at McGovern Park in Ruislip.
London, after showing good early season form in the pre-season tournaments, started in lively fashion and by the opening quarter led by 1-02 to 0-02.
Midfielders Liam Gallagher and Stephen Dornan were winning primary possession, and sweeper corner forward Eoin Walsh for London was ensuring that that Wexford attack was finding it difficult to make inroads in attack.
The London goal in the 11th minute was a well finished effort to the corner of the net from centre forward Daniel Clarke after been put in the clear from a clever pass from full forwards Shay Rafter.
Both London's early points had come from placed balls whereas the opening Wexford scores setting a pattern that would resonate throughout game were superbly kicked points from range from Glen Malone and Jonathan Bealin.
Whilst London were the better side early on Wexford started to get their measure for the rest of first half, in particular the dominance of kick outs through the stellar fielding of midfield colleagues Captain Liam Coleman and Niall Hughes.
The result of this possession was the tacking over of a number of superb points from play, Glen Malone, Niall Hughes and Eoghan Nolan scored some of the finer efforts. As a result, Wexford led at the break by 0-09 to 1-05.
The second half opened with both sides exchanging points Kevin O’Grady for Wexford and Shay Rafter (free) for London to still leave only a solitary point between the sides.
London’s ability to break fast into attack resulted in Wexford defender Darragh Lyons receiving a black card and Wexford appeared to be in trouble but the outstanding O’Grady with his third white flag settled the Wexford nerves.
Despite being down to 14 men Wexford took control Cian Hughes from a mark and Ben Brosnan free had Wexford leading 0-13 to 1-07 on the 55-minute mark.
The game as a contest was decided shortly afterwards following a flowing move involving Paidi Hughes and Liam Coleman which ended with centre forward Eoghan Nolan flashing a low shot to the corner of Andrew Walsh’s goal.
Wexford were now six points up and despite a couple of late attacks they failed to secure a goal to bring them back in the contest and Wexford at the end were full value for the five-point victory.
Daniel Clarke’s late sending off for London was too late to effect the contest.
Wexford: Rory Tubritt; Conor Carty, Gavin Sheehan, Darragh Lyons, Dylan Furlong (0-1), Paraic Hughes, Glen Malone (0-2), Liam Coleman (Capt.) Niall Hughes (0-1), Richie Waters, Eoghan Nolan (1-1), Kevin O'Grady (0-3), Jonathan Bealin, Conor Kinsella, Ben Brosnan (0-2 (both frees)).
Substitutes: Tom Byrne for Richie Waters injured 23 mins, Cian Hughes (0-1 (mark)) for Jonathan Bealin (0-1) half time, Eoin Porter for Conor Carty 50 mins, John Dunne for Conor Kinsella 53 mins, Dean O’ Toole for Eoghan Nolan 63 mins
London: Andrew Walsh, Daire Rooney, Matt Moynihan, Fiontain Eastwood, Oran Kerr, Ciaran McKeon (0-1), Conor Cox, Stephen Dornan, Liam Gallagher (0-4, all frees), Donal Flaherty, Daniel Clarke (1-1), Aidan McLoughlin, Eoin Walsh, Shay Rafter(0-2 both frees), Joshua Obahor.
Substitutes: Cathal Lacey for Joshua Obahor 48 mins, Ciaran Diver for Aidan McLoughlin 53mins, Ryan Tohill for Ciaran McKeon 60mins, Gareth McDowell for Oran Kerr 60 mins., Ruairi Rafferty for Stephen Dornan 60 mins.,
Referee: John Ryan (Cork)
