Commentators were baffled at Oxford being denied a ‘clear penalty’ as Stevenage keeper Craig MacGillivray wipes out player Marcus Browne.
It came on the 26th minute of the League One clash, with Oxford dominating the first half, but just couldn’t score from their chances, and then let down when the officials saw nothing wrong with Marcus Browne being brought down in the box.
BBC Sport’s Alex Hoad said: “Surely that should have been a penalty?!
“Ruben Rodrigues threads an inch-perfect slide-rule pass through the defence for Marcus Browne to run onto down the right of the area, Boro keeper Craig MacGillivray flies off his line and wipes out the right-winger. I’m not sure he got much of the ball…
“No VAR in League One, of course, but that would have been one of its easier decisions I feel.
“Oxford are incensed but have to settle for a corner, which comes to nought.”
Peter Rhoades-Brown (Former Oxford and Chelsea winger on BBC Radio Oxford): “I’ve just looked at that challenge in slow motion and you can’t see anything but a penalty. Slightly aggrieved… very aggrieved. Oxford have got to get on with it now.”
The Sky Sports commentators said: “Brannigan did well. Rodriguez trying to snake it through for Browne. Decision to make. And the referee content that McGillivray did nothing wrong. Well, always look at the player and he’s still down on the floor.
“I actually felt there was contact, gonna play straight in, comes out. I think a better angle from the front might just give us something to go by. But it’s a penalty, 100% penalty. And the reason being is the touch away and he completely takes him off his feet. I am absolutely baffled.”
Oxford fans chanted: “You don’t know what you’re doing” towards the referee and booed the officials as they went down the tunnel come half time.
NO PENALTY ❌
A BIG call from referee Tom Nield, are Stevenage lucky to get away with this one? ???? pic.twitter.com/thiCdPUOKa
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 19, 2024
How much of a penalty is that?? ????????
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) April 19, 2024
Caught with his foot and then his hands … as obvious as it ever gets https://t.co/2bBtnVY7R6
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) April 19, 2024
Then just after the half hour mark, the visitors took the lead, stunning the hosts.
Oxford could only half-clear a deep corner with Nick Freeman making his way to the byline on the left, was pulled back into the middle towards Kane Hemmings, though Sam Long was there first.
He tried to cut out the cross and then bounced the ball into the ground and inside the post past his keeper Jamie Cumming stood helpless.
Stevenage take the LEAD against Oxford! ???? pic.twitter.com/rvjHNhaWZ1
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 19, 2024
In the 57th minute, Carl Piergianni was adjudged to have brought down Ruben Rodrigues on the right of the area. The Sky Sports commentators feeling it was soft, nonetheless it made up for the howler of a decision not to award the earlier one.
Cameron Brannagan stepped up and netted his 11th League One goal of the season, sending the ball coolly into the bottom right corner and the keeper went the wrong way.
Steve Watkins (Commentator on BBC Three Counties Radio): “I have to say of the three shouts for penalty, that’s the least convincing. Ruben Rodrigues went down very easily. Things even themselves out.”
This is how fans reacted with commentators baffled at Oxford being denied a ‘clear penalty’ as Stevenage keeper Craig MacGillivray wipes out player Marcus Browne…
@Callum_OUFC: What’s the point. You spend hundreds of pounds every season just to see an official cost you with the most blatant decision you’ll ever see. Shambles
@CameronJeromeFC: This literally sums up the officiating in this tinpot fucking league, oh and look who the ref is #bwfc fans ????????????
@Si_Watts: Look at the position of the assistant!! How could he not see that he didn’t get that ball???!!!
@bensteck: It’s just beyond belief that they’ve missed this. Ref’s view I can understand, but the linesman’s looking right at it. #OUFC
@GeorgeElek: Crazy decision, and now we’re 1-0 down in the biggest game of the season. Still thankful every day that we don’t have VAR in the EFL ????
@Tommydlcfc1: The fuck is the Lino looking at fucking hell
@cafc_daniel: When is it going change with these officials. Week in week out we keep seeing mistake after mistake and it’s costing teams
@martinrich86: And they complain about the abuse referees get… Here’s an idea… be better at your job. ????
@Den_AFC: I mean Stevenage have had some harsh decisions against them but nothing in comparison to this, even from watching on a fucking phone it’s clear as day
@jordanmason19: League 1 refereeing at its finest, every single one of them make errors like this all season. The standard is so bad it’s laughable
@AdamHighsted: Referees are getting worse by the season. Stone wall.
@01jacobb: what on earth is this?
@TheDayo14: Standard EFL refereeing
@jamesco_tt: Look at this for refereeing ????
@h_burts: Absolute joke
@bwfcanthony02: That’s an awful decision ????????
@JakePrice1927: How has the Lino not given that? Pathetic officiating in the EFL again. Shock.
@JoshWal21262250: ???????????????????????????? wow what a great ref!! Ruined our season ????
@dunnda: EFL refs…… again!! ????????♂️
@NigelBarrett6: I loathe VAR but if we had it in League One, he’s off to the big screen surely with the big ‘square’ signal. Penalty. @bbcoxfordsport #OUFC
@Rosie_may16: Clear as day pen, shocking refereeing #OUFC
@nutkinsarmy: How in the world is that not a penalty. #OUFC
@chrismase: Absolute stone-waller of a penalty not given – League 1 officiating strikes again #OUFC
@Lone_Ranger91: That’s a stone wall pen ???? where do the @EFL find these Refs ? #OUFC
@CaptainOx: Blatant pen. What is the point of the linesman if he doesn’t help the referee out?! #oufc
@bookiemonster81:
Stonewall pen not given
Own goal
The sky curse lives on #oufc
@hraarmstrong: What is this ref smoking? #oufc
@Jack_Matt1209: The refs got a bit excited about the sky cameras clearly. Stupid clown #oufc
@robmitchell_5: We’ve seen some bad decisions at the Kass Stad, but that no peno on Browne might be the worse #OUFC
@lloydhathaway1: How was that pen not given! #OUFC
@craiglufc97: What is the Lino doing? He’s got to see that
@KyleChr27168364: Clear penalty then Stevenage score jesus Christ @
@grimmer_1895: Clear penalty, keeper weren’t even close to the ball ????♂️
@oufc_rowan: fucking hell man ????????????
@rutt74: Typical rubbish officials in this country
@oufc_harry: If this costs us playoffs i swear to fuck
@John_GR63: EFL refs try not to be fucking atrocious challenge *impossible*
@JoeGreenbwfc: Games gone so south ????
@glynbilly: Shocker
@Dan_LUFC_Winter: Wow ???? ???? ???? ???? ????
@jakeoxford26: shit ref
@HarryCallaghan_: Blank pen not given concede 5 minutes later I hate this league #OUFC
@dylancraft02: Most blatant penalty I’ve seen gone round the keeper and the keeper has taken him down EFL officials are fucking shit useless cunts
@NigelBarrett6: What. The. Actual. Fuck. It’s a penalty you useless fuckers! Why. What is going on? @EFL. Sort your officials out you utter wanksocks! Jesus..
@lukeoufcbodily: ALL WE WANT IS A DECENT REFEREE
@davvtom: The worst decision I have ever seen.
@mackenzieJ91: EFL refs are horrendous ????
@Ben_S1990: Christ ????????
@fin_oufc: All of this and I still don’t want VAR
@JoshTalksEFL: they really don’t have a clue ????????
@Brunners_: I don’t understand how he hasn’t given this? The linesman is looking right at it?!
Not like Tom Neild to drop an absolute stinker is it? #bwfc https://t.co/JWmUIEgxw1 pic.twitter.com/K9SbHfvk2A
— Kian (@Kianb__) April 19, 2024
