Just the Facts Ma'am

I’m behind in posting (in fact, two matches behind for Oxford) so this is going to be a very abbreviated post from this past weekend’s action. Besides being behind, I really didn’t follow any of the matches on Saturday or Sunday morning as I was too busy doing other things. I feel ashamed of myself that I’m using “too busy” as an excuse not to watch soccer, but that’s the truth… and the truth hurts sometimes.

FC Nurnberg vs. Wolfsburg – This match looked to be a good even match as Nurnberg were sitting in 9^th, with Wolfsburg in 10^th pre match. Der Club were downed by Wolfsburg 2-1 earlier in the season but I was hoping they would capitalize on their recent form, get a win, and move up some in the table. Unfortunately this weekend’s result would actually be worse. Nurnberg would lose 3-1 to Wolfsburg. They only fall down to 10^th with the loss, but are falling closer to relegation again on points. They now are only six points up from the playoff relegation spot in 16^th.

Nurnberg play 8^th place Stuttgart this Saturday who, like Wolfsburg, could be a tricky match. I’m hoping they can pull out a win though before next weekend’s huge derby test against Bayern Munich.

Oxford United vs. Rotherham United – Oxford United lined up against Rotherham who were just a few spots behind them in the league table and chasing them for that final promotion playoff spot. The first half of the match was mostly without much action, but Oxford’s Scott Rendell changed that scoring in the first half’s stoppage time. After the break, Asa Hall would continue the scoring, putting the Yellows up 2-0 in the 52^nd minute. It looked like Oxford keeper Ryan Clarke would get the clean sheet (aka a shut out) but Rotherham were given a penalty after an Oxford foul in the box. They converted the penalty, but the game was still a 2-1 victory for Oxford. As has been the pattern, Oxford remain in 7^th place.

Newcastle United vs. Norwich City – Where I at least glanced at the other two games to check on scores when I could, I never even checked in on Newcastle’s match against Norwich. Not that I should’ve taken a victory for granted against Norwich, who sit roughly mid-table, but frankly I did. Luckily my Magpies didn’t disappoint. In only the 11^th minute, January signing Papiss Demba Cisse knocked a cross from Jonas Gutierrez past Norwich’s keeper to go up 1-0. It would’ve been nice to see more goals on top of that, but instead the Toon – and especially goalkeeper Tim Krul – managed to just simply keep Norwich from scoring. Although it was a simple 1-0 win, it was a much needed win as Newcastle had been winless in their last four matches. Their last win before this was against Aston Villa back on February 5^th. Although Newcastle still sit 6^th in the league, the inch closer to Chelsea in 5^th, keeping their hopes of European cup football alive for next year.