Front pair Fejiri Okenabirhie and Jason Cummings were both on target as the League One side established a commanding lead going into the break, with former Wales international Dave Edwards – the Shrews’ captain – rounding off the scoring late on.
The margin of defeat was perhaps a tad cruel on the Magpies’ youngsters, though. Teenager Elliot Anderson almost cancelled out Okenabirhie’s opener after a great ball in by Jamie Sterry, while Tom Allan and substitute Víctor Fernández both struck the woodwork in the second half.
However, it was not to be for Newcastle, for whom there will be no repeat of last season’s memorable run to the northern area’s quarter-finals. Langley, though, felt they gave a more than reasonable account of themselves against a Shrews XI with an average age of 27.
“I think 3-0 is a harsh reflection of the way the game went, especially in the second half and after hitting the woodwork twice,” the towering stopper told nufc.co.uk. “I thought we were really on top in the second half and played them off the park, but when you’re trying to play that high up the pitch it obviously makes you a bit more exposed at the other end. The goal at the end to make it 3-0 was a shame – it really isn’t a reflection of how we played as a team.
“They had a good side out. It’s League One opposition and they’re obviously taking this competition seriously, and you can see where they are in the league. But it’s a good experience for the players and hopefully they’ll be better off for that next year. I think we played well as a team, we battled hard, the grit and determination we showed was really good and we have to be proud of the performance we put in.”
Despite having to pick the ball out of his net three times, Langley impressed for the Magpies’ youngsters at the Montgomery Waters Meadow, gathering a number of shots and balls into the box at the first time of asking and never looking afraid to come off his line and narrow the angle for the likes of Cummings, who found himself in behind the United backline on more than one occasion.
Asked as to how he had found his first taste of action in the Leasing.com Trophy, Langley replied: “Physical. It was a good step up.
“I’m just trying to progress as much as I can and being able to play in this competition is a good level for me. I was pleased with how I played. For the second goal, maybe I could have done better. But otherwise I was pleased with my performance.
“I try and be as dominant as I can in my area and as a goalkeeper I think that’s a trait you need to try and have. Hopefully I can become more and more dominant in what I do. I feel like I did a good job and hopefully I can keep pushing on in the games that are coming up.”
