Tamworth FC expect 'tough year' after win in competitive Jan Johnson Cup

The veteran coach, who intended to retire this year before he decided to return to the helm of the women's team for one more season, was impressed by the standard he saw on the pitch last weekend.

"It's a good, strong comp the women's competition," he said.

"It was last year, and the North Companions, OVA, and Kootingal are very strong. It's going to be an interesting comp, very competitive.

"It's going to be a tough year, because the standard of women's football is getting better."

The Tamworth FC women went into the Jan Johnson Cup having won it several times prior, including the 2021 edition.

This took the pressure off them, and they looked at the competition as an opportunity to sharpen up ahead of the winter season.

The team's focus, May said, was on their ability to maintain and control possession, which he was pleased with for roughly 70 per cent of the day.

"We've been working on our possession at training," he said.

"It was pretty tiring and got pretty warm in the third game, so they started running out of legs and ball possession went away."

After going through their two round games undefeated on Saturday, Tamworth FC met the combined OVA/North Companions team in the final.

After conceding their first goal of the day, Tamworth held on for a 1-1 draw at full time which led to a penalty shootout to decide the winner.

When goalkeeper Mishelle Fealy deflected the final shot to secure a 1-1 (5-4) victory, May said the team was "pretty excited".

He also picked out several players whose performances surprised him throughout the day.

"Lauren Day was very impressive over the three games we played, she's only 16 and has plenty of ability," May said.

"Bec Rodson, the captain in the middle of the park played well. And Georgia Harris played the last two games up front and scored a couple of goals. She's only 16 as well.

"We've got a pretty good blend of players this year."

With a positive start to 2022 under their belts, May and the Tamworth FC team look forward to continuing their growth.

"The listen, and that's the pleasing part about the women's football," May said.

"They do listen, they want to learn, and as long as they do that, I enjoy it."

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