BEFORE the year is out we will see many games of football which will not be a patch on this Leinster championship preliminary round replay at Mullingar on Saturday evening.

From start to finish both teams set about playing fast, open football. And in near-perfect conditions on a superbly-prepared pitch, a contest of some considerable quality was joined and was enjoyed by a crowd estimated at 4,500.

Although Westmeath took the initiative early on and never fully relinquished it, Wexford remained strong contenders all through and near the end were close enough on the scoreboard to cause Westmeath supporters many anxious

In a very high-scoring game there were many scores of brilliance but the four lovely points from play by Wexford's Jason Lawlor in the second half were particularly good. These scores and the consistency of Jim Byrne from frees (seven in all) kept Wexford in the match.

For Westmeath, however, the strength of their effort lay in the fact that all six of their forwards, one of their midfielders and two of their half-backs got on the score sheet none more effectively than Thomas Cleary, who matched Lawlor's proficiency with four points from play.

After coming so close in the drawn match, Wexford went into the game slight favourites. But Westmeath's manager, Barney Rock, had, apparently, done a lot of homework and his charges put the Wexford men under pressure from the start.

Wexford were pinned in their own half for the opening five minutes and Westmeath should have been more than two points up at this stage. It seemed, however, that Ger Heavin, who had scored both points, would cause serious problems for Wexford. Strangely, however, he failed to register another score.

Wexford were hoping for great things from Scott Doran, back after injury, but while he played a vital part in the opening 20 minutes he faded subsequently and it was Lawlor in the other corner who constantly caught the eye.

Westmeath midfielders Tom Ormsby and Paul Conway started well and it was Conway who rattled home Westmeath's first goal. The Wexford pair, John Harrington and Seamus Hughes, subsequently brought Wexford back into the game with spirited contesting for the ball and effective use of it.

It was a bad mistake by the Wexford full back John O'Gorman which led to that first goal. His attempted clearance was blocked down, rather fortunately it must be admitted, and Conway came tearing in to drive the ball home. Westmeath led 1-2 to 0-1 after 10 minutes.

Within five minutes Wexford were on level terms. A point by Garret Dunne from play was quickly followed by a penalty award. A Doran free was pushed aside by Dermot Ryan in the Westmeath goal and as Kenny McKinley collected the loose ball he was adjudged to have lifted it off the ground. Doran converted the kick with some style.

Westmeath continued to be that slight bit more efficient with their passing and support of the player in possession and by the 28th minute they led 1-7 to 1-3.

The quality of their teamwork was graphically illustrated at this stage when a move involving Heavin, Conway, Ormsby and Mark Staunton ended with Staunton putting the ball firmly behind Ollie Murphy in the Wexford goal.

Staunton, who had come into the side in place of Kenny Lyons from the start, immediately tapped over a fine point after a lengthy run to give Westmeath a 2-8 to 1-3 lead. Wexford cut that by half-time by two points, scored by Jim Byrne (a 50) and Niall Guinan.

It was to Wexford's credit that they fought gamely to get within striking distance. Westmeath's defence contributed by conceding frees which Jim Byrne invariably tapped over the bar and within 18 minutes Wexford were only a goal adrift at 2-12 to 1-12.

Westmeath, however, kept their heads and matched Wexford score for score before pulling away again towards the end.