Notts ace loving life in the EFL fast lane
MACAULAY Langstaff wondered how he’d fare against Football League defenders this term – the fact he’s top of the League Two goalscoring chart suggests he’s passed the test with flying colours!
The 27-year-old sharp-shooter broke the National League record when he netted 42 goals last term, helping Notts County to win promotion via the play-offs. It was a brilliant first season at Meadow Lane for Langstaff, who had previously plundered goals galore for Gateshead in National League North.
Stepping into the Football League for the first time was set to be another adventure for the Stockton-on-Tees born hitman. After drawing a blank in his first three EFL games, there were a few murmurs, but Langstaff responded with a double in his side’s 3-1 win at Doncaster – and has scarcely looked back.
His goal in the 3-0 win at Bradford in midweek took his tally for the campaign to 24 in the league, 25 in all competitions. It also put him one ahead of Salford’s Matt Smith in the race for the League Two golden boot before yesterday’s meeting of the two teams at Meadow Lane.
“The quality (of opposition) has been a step up and that’s no disrespect to the National League, that’s just how football works,” he told The FLP. “As you go up the levels, it gets a little more difficult.
“I’d never played at this level before so you always wonder what defenders are like in League Two. I like to challenge myself and I’ve done that this year.
“I think the biggest thing I’ve had to work on is my movement. I’d like to think I’ve always had decent movement but this year sometimes just one single movement isn’t enough.
“At this level you make one movement and the defender is still marking you and he won’t go away. You’ve got to double and triple your movements and be a lot cleverer as you go up the levels – and I’ve tried to do that this year. You’ve got to be constantly on the move and thinking.
“As a goalscorer you have to believe in yourself. Defenders get tougher, but ultimately it’s about you, your movement and the chances you’re going to get. That doesn’t change whether you are playing at National League North or in the Football League. I’ve always believed that I can score goals higher up the ladder.”
Goals are a striker’s main currency and winning the Golden Boot is often a coveted personal accolade, but
