NEWCASTLE WOMEN manager Becky Langley had a lot of love for yesterday's 22,300-strong St. James’ Park crowd as her side reached the National League Cup Final beating Portsmouth.

With Magpies co-owner Amanda Staveley leading the support from the stands, Newcastle scored a dramatic late winner to claim a 2-1 success.

“I can’t thank the fans enough for their support,” said Langley, who celebrated her 100th game in the Newcastle dug-out in style. “There was one point in the first half where they were shouting, ‘Shoot! Shoot!’ that made the hairs stand up.”

Goals from Charlotte Potts and Georgia Gibson either side of Portsmouth’s Emma Jones’ strike secured a spot in the final for Newcastle.

“It was a tight game, it was a good battle between us and Portsmouth but I’m so glad we got out of the other side and we’re into the final now,” Langley said of the at-times-nervy tie.

Langley’s side created a lot of chances from set-pieces and she was quick to praise the players’ effort and commitment to the style of play.

“We have always prided ourselves on scoring goals from set-pieces,” she said. “We’ve not conceded a single goal from a set-piece all season, when we were doing a session yesterday we practiced them. 

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“I remember one of the deliveries Emma Kelly put into the box, Charlotte Potts has hammered her straight away. They were really driving each other to be the best.”

Staveley joined Langley on the pitch in celebration at the final whistle and the manager was quick to praise the co-owner's involvement with the women’s team.

“Amanda is passionate about the women’s game, she wanted to play football when she was younger but the opportunity wasn’t there,” Langley said. “She is really true to her word.

"It’s so easy to think that people want to be involved when it’s trendy at the start, but she has stayed consistent with that (support). It’s her dad’s 80th birthday, but she was still here – that just shows the support she has for the women’s team.”

Newcastle will play Hashtag United in the final at Kenilworth Road in March.