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Langley: 'A brilliant result'
Written by Joseph Nelson
Newcastle United Women manager Becky Langley was full of praise for the determination of her side after the Lady Magpies came away with a crucial 2-1 win away to York City on Sunday.
Despite a depleted squad and tough weather conditions, goals from Georgia Gibson and Kacie Elson, along with a stern defensive display, sealed a vital three points which lifted Langley's side to the top of the FA Women's National League Division One North.
"It’s fantastic," the United boss said of the win. "It was a really important three points.
"It was tough because we had a couple of players missing, so it tested the squad depth. Overall, it was an absolutely brilliant result.
"The team put in a really good performance in tough, rainy conditions to come away with the three points."
Langley fielded her seventh different centre-back partnership of the season in York, as Newcastle Women were forced to contend with several injuries. Despite this, the Lady Magpies' boss was thrilled with the way Jane Harland and Emma Wallis played alongside one another at the heart of the United defence.
"It was a really strong defensive performance," she said. "We were disappointed to not keep a clean sheet, but we got the win and that's the most important thing.
"We went in at the break with those two goals and it was about making sure that we're resolute to play against. We were winning first and second balls all over the pitch and that made it really tough for the opposition.
"Keeping the clean sheet in the second half really helped us get those three points."
Following Leeds United Women's loss to Durham Cestria on Sunday, Newcastle Women now sit atop the FAWNL Division One North by two points.
Ahead of the upcoming Vitality Women's FA Cup match against Hull City Women on Sunday, and Newcastle Women's next league match against Bradford City Women at St. James' Park two weeks later, Langley reiterated her ambitions.
"The message is ensuring that we stay at the top and keep winning matches. That comes with consistency," she explained.
"That's where our one-game-at-a-time mentality is so important. We are figuring out the best tactic and the best approach to ensure we get three points in every game.
"It is about consistency; it's in our hands now."
Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC
"We are figuring out the best tactic and the best approach to ensure we get three points in every game. It is about consistency; it's in our hands now."