Rushden & Diamonds 1 Oxford United 1

Well - I decided to forfeit the trip to Nene Park mainly for my sanity, instead spending the first half at The Fishes and the second half watching on the tiny version of the Internet that lives in my phone. Anyway it is now all set for a cracking game on Monday, in standard football cliche terms, we would have all taken a draw before the game.

In many ways it makes the second leg very simple, there is no risk of trying to play defensively to protect a lead like last time, just got to go out and win (I assume it is the same as last time and away goals make no difference in Conference play offs - a draw leads to Extra Time).

In the mean time I shall continue to wear the lucky wrist band for it has magical powers and will ensure progress to the final and ultimate victory.

Until Monday dear reader.

Eastbourne Borough 1 Oxford United 0

So ending with a whimper not a bang but it makes no real difference and playing a different squad takes some pressure off as there is an excuse that it is not the strongest 11 starting.

Ended with 86 points, 1 more than a prediction I made here, not a very brave prediction.

So to the play offs, Rushden & Diamonds will be tough opposition, 4 points from our league meetings and the draw with Luton today shows they have the strength. I'm glad to avoid York, had a bad feeling about them - and although all the money will be on Luton getting to the final they will have a tough job getting past York.

Oxford United 1 Wrexham 0

Ongoing flight issues, ash related, meant I made the last home league game of the season. Another cold windy "spring" evening at the Kassam.
Wilder started with an odd selection, resting a number of key players, and playing in a formation which was either 4 3 3, 4 5 1 or 4 4 2 depending who you spoke to.

Turley
Sandwith Wright Day Batt
Potter Deering Chapman Chalmers
Green Midson

Potter seemed to partner Midson more than Green and Deering played more centrally than on the wing.

The team struggled to gel in the first half and there was not recognisable game plan, made a few chances and were rarely threatened.

Second half I thought was an improvement, showing some patience, building from the back if needed and then getting the ball in the box.

The ball just wouldn't stick to Midson, and runs from Deering and Potter petered out with neither looking keen to take a shot.

Finally a lofted ball from the right cleared the Wrexham defence and was headed down by Sandwith at the far post, bouncing gracefully over the keeper and into the net seemingly in slow motion.

Possible - 89
Target - 88 (nonsense with 1 game left, but maths is maths)
Form - 88

So you'll be subjected to at least two more posts, lets hope it is 3 and ends well.

Oxford United 2 Mansfield Town 0

Missed the game, sister's 50th, good result.

Possible - 89
Target - 87
Form - 86

Oxford United 0 Cambridge United 0

The Kassam micro-climate was in force tonight, an arctic wind blowing and a disappointing performance and result. The first half was OK but the chances made were not converted and beating the offside trap seemed too much of a challenge. The second half was poor and lacked any real vigour, Cambridge were surprisingly average for a team that made the play off finals last year.

After the game top spot was still possible but with the Stevenage win since even that slim chance has evaporated, even I didn't think it would really happen.

Possible 89
Target 86
Form 84

What else to add - lets hope we can make a better job of the play offs than last time.

PS - lets see how long I stay awake watching the leader's debate.

Altrincham 0 Oxford United 1

With results during the week the Yellows were at least guaranteed a play off spot before this game. Whiling away a sunny weekend in Devon this score on t'internet was well received and the start of a run, we hope.

With a total possible total of 91, automatic promotion is not yet ruled out, unlikely as Stevenage keep winning but good to see Luton drop some points - any sign of weakness in the top 5 is to be welcomed.

Possible - 91
Target - 87
Form - 85

A win on Tuesday evening would be very very welcome and make the tentative date in my diary for the 16th May a little firmer, wishful thinking.

Oxford United 1 Salisbury City 0

Rather slack in filing this post, but a frustrating first half followed by an encouraging second half led to some change of form for Oxford and, I assume, a rare headed Potter goal.

Not much more to add really;

Possible - 91
Target - 86
Form - 83 (yuk)

Hayes & Yeading United 2 Oxford United 1

This is the team that shipped 8 last week, a good in form side even with ten men would have managed to keep a 1 - 0 lead. Nothing good about this Friday - and so on .. Church Road .. we should have ........ them.

Humbug.

Possible - 91

Target - 85

Form - 81

Somehow it feels worse to start well in the season and fall away than improve after a poor start, like last year. These last 6 (hopefully 9) games are a test for Wilder who does not seem to be able to lift the side or make best use of the players he has fit.

Stevenage Borough 1 Oxford United 0

Well - internet radio was not enough to lift this game, sounded like we lacked enough craft to break them down so the odd penalty was enough for the Borough.

Other results continued to conspire against the Us and we wobbled back into 3rd. Although I have not given up hope completely of a stunning end to the season and securing the Championship on the last day, I have started checking the play off dates.

There are however 7 games to go and 21 points to play for, the pressure is all on Luton and Stevenage to keep winning - we dearly need a win against Hayes & Yeading to get things moving, it feels like I've been saying that for the last 4 or 5 games.

Possible - 94
Target - 87
Form - 83

Northern colleague made the point about a season's worth of performance;

"Frustratingly we've managed promotion form EVERY year in the BSP - but only for half a season: autumn 2006, spring 2008, spring 2009 and autumn 2009. Unfortunately each time the other half has been more-or-less relegation form. Even average form for the weaker half of any of those seasons might have done it."

This is a hard league from which to escape.