Macaulay Langstaff explains Yeovil hat-trick was 'a…

Macaulay Langstaff explains Yeovil hat-trick was 'a long time coming' despite difficult circumstances

Not many people would have envisioned Macaulay Langstaff to have 30 National League goals in his first season at this level even by the end of this season, let alone in February.

But the Magpies number nine became the first player since Lee Hughes in 2010 to reach that landmark with his second hat-trick of the season, scoring twice in added time in Notts' 4-1 victory away to Yeovil.

It was another testing afternoon for Luke Williams' side, with Andrew Oluwabori's equaliser coming just minutes after Langstaff had hit the post, providing a nervy final 20 minutes at Huish Park.

The difficulty of the fixture was analysed by Langstaff following the full-time whistle, insisting his side was not at their best against the Glovers.

"It was really tough, we weren't at our best today and had a lot of difficult moments.

"They made it difficult for us and came with a gameplan and they executed that quite well by putting a lot of pressure on, but the most important thing was the three points."

Ahead of kick-off, Mark Cooper's side was the only side in the division to keep the National League's top scorers at bay during their 0-0 draw at Meadow Lane in November.

But that statistic changed within four minutes of the encounter at Huish Park, with Sam Austin finding space in midfield to provide an inviting cross into the area for Langstaff to head home his first of the afternoon.

And the importance of that early goal was highlighted by the Notts number nine, with the memories of their early encounter still fresh in his mind.

"We knew it was going to be difficult because when they came to Meadow Lane we couldn't break them down, they put a lot of men behind the ball, and fair play to them.

"But the early goal was important and thankfully we got that - we were disappointed not to get the clean sheet but to score four goals away from home against a tough team, it's massive."

The win in Somerset saw Langstaff complete his second hat-trick of the campaign, adding to his match ball collection following his hat trick against Dagenham and Redbridge earlier in the season.

"It's been a long time coming," Langstaff joked on finally achieving another long-awaited treble his performances have threatened.

"Dagenham was quite a while ago and I have been saying I am due a hat trick so when I scored the early one today and thought this might be my day - when you score so early you are thinking I could get two or three today.

"I had to wait until the 90th minute to get the second one and I think there was about a minute to play when the kick-off was taken, and Ruben said to me there is one more in this and I thought I was running out of time and luckily I got a chance straight afterward and glad to get the hat-trick."

Macaulay Langstaff explains Yeovil hat-trick was 'a long time coming' despite difficult circumstances

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