Having secured some impressive results in recent weeks, Oxford United have dropped out of the playoffs again over the last seven days.
The U’s lost at home against a promotion rival before dropping further points on Friday night, with results going against them on Saturday.
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: U’s Drop Out of the Playoffs
Limp Against the Imps
Oxford’s winning run came to an end with a defeat against promotion rivals, Lincoln.
The U’s struggled to reach the heights of their recent performances but despite that, it was still a fairly even contest.
There was some controversy, however, with Lincoln’s winning goal coming from the spot despite it looking as though Ruben Rodrigues had won the ball.
The Imps needed the win more than Oxford to keep their own playoff hopes alive but Des Buckingham’s side remained in the top six ahead of the visit of Stevenage on Friday.
Playoff Hopes Dealt Blow With Draw Against Stevenage
On Friday night, Oxford were allowed the opportunity to secure their playoff place but were held at home against Stevenage.
The U’s were denied a stonewall penalty midway through the first half before the visitors opened the scoring with an unfortunate own goal from Sam Long.
After the restart, Oxford could have been awarded another spot kick, which the referee waved away, but he eventually succumbed by awarding the U’s a penalty despite Ruben Rodrigues going down outside the box.
Cameron Brannagan stepped up to score but despite creating several chances, the hosts were unable to find a winner.
FA Cup Statement
Like many clubs across the country, Oxford United stood alongside those in releasing a statement, condemning the scrapping of FA Cup replays.
The statement read: “Oxford United Football Club were concerned to learn of Thursday’s decision by The FA to scrap FA Cup replays.
“Due to Friday night’s home game against Stevenage, the club would now wish to provide an update and give the subject the attention it deserves.
“Prior to the release of the statement, clubs in the EFL, including Oxford United, were not consulted, with no explanation given throughout this process.
“We are alarmed by a lack of meaningful engagement by The FA in making this decision and call on the association to undertake fair consultation on this and future issues which directly impact its members.
“We also call on The FA to open a sensible consultation process to allow for a fair discussion on a greater share of finances and revenues for clubs within the EFL and beyond.
“We firmly stand with other clubs in the EFL and we would like to call on The FA to reconsider and review its current consultation process in coming to this decision, where we bring all stakeholders to the table in the interest of sporting integrity.”
Oxford Drop Out of the Playoffs Ahead of Final Weekend
The defeat against Lincoln looks to be a damaging loss as the Imps moved above the U’s with a win at Cheltenham on Saturday.
Des Buckingham’s side are now level on points but are five goals worse off.
Blackpool have also put themselves in the mix for a top-six finish with an impressive win over Barnsley. The Seasiders are one point behind the U’s but back-to-back defeats for the Tykes mean that there are now two spaces in the playoffs up for grabs. It’s all to play for!
