Langley wants to ‘excite fans from the off’ after Newcastle United’s first win | OneFootball

Newcastle United manager Becky Langley has declared her intention to attack teams from the first whistle this season after her side recorded their first-ever Barclays Women’s Championship win against Sheffield United on Sunday.

First half goals from Beth Lumsden and Shania Hayles ensured that the Tynesiders side recorded a 2-0 victory over The Blades at Kingston Park. Langley was effusive in her praise when speaking to the assembled media after the game.

“We always want to start games on the front-foot [and] excite fans from the off,” Langley said.

“I thought we started really brightly which helped us gain momentum in that first half, and it was a great finish by Beth.

“We’ve got quality in wide areas, especially today with Shania and Beth – [they’re] really good, technical players. I felt like we really hurt them on that left-hand side in the first 20 minutes of the game.”

Langley also praised the impact of goalkeeper Claudia Moan, who won the Barclays Women’s Championship’s Player of the Year whilst with rivals Sunderland last season. She made a number of saves in the second half en route to keeping a clean sheet.

She said “Her [first] clean sheet, hopefully, the first of many for her this season after a fantastic season last year with Sunderland.

“Claudia actually had a loss in her family this week, so for her to come out and put together a performance like that today shows incredible bravery and strength. I’ve only got admiration for her this week and long may those clean sheets continue.”

Langley also acknowledged that the size of her squad could pose challenges for the season ahead, but praised both individual attitudes and team spirit around the players.

She said “It’s challenging, but at the same time, the players have such a good attitude and work ethic and the culture that we’ve built over the last five seasons is strong. Obviously, everybody wants to play and I do my best to balance it. At the same time, it’s a good environment to work in and the girls are really respectful.”

Newcastle United are back in action on Sunday afternoon when they make the long trip to the south coast to face Portsmouth at Westleigh Park.