A teacher and student will combine to play a huge role for Albury City in the AWFA senior women’s cup final at Jelbart Park on Sunday.
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City central midfielder Amy Martin is in the unique position where she teaches her teammate, Montanna Mathews.
Mathews is in her second season as a striker in the senior women’s side at City, while Martin had stints at St Pats and Melrose before crossing to league champions where she has played the last two years.
Martin has taught Mathews the past three years at Xavier High School, but she hopes her student can help her dish out a lesson to Wangaratta this weekend.
At 30 years of age, Martin is the oldest player in the Albury City lineup, while Mathews, 15, is the youngest.
“She has to call me Miss Martin at school, but I’m Amy outside of school,” Martin laughed.
“She’s an A-grade student.
“We were just talking on our way over and discussing Wangaratta’s plans.
“I was Montanna’s first rep coach as well.”
Martin added the group is excited about the prospect of going through the entire season unbeaten with the league and cup double, after a heartbreaking 1-0 loss against Boomers in last year’s final.
“We’ve had really good numbers at training which is an improvement on last year,” Martin said.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a grand final victory, it was back in the St Pats days more than 10 years ago.
“Boomers were a very physical team, so it will be a pretty similar sort of game (against Wangaratta).
“Hopefully we can come out strong in the first 20 minutes and absorb the pressure and we know we’ve got the fitness to carry through for the rest of the game.
“We need to make sure we play our game and not get drawn into their game.”
Martin said there’s some pressure to perform well on Sunday, but knows the City ladies are ready for it.
“We know we’ve had a great season and we will give our absolute all on Sunday,” she said.
“Anything can happen in a cup final, so going in with a level head will be important for us.”
The nerves are kicking in for Mathews, but she feels she’s a better player than this time last year.
She left the field during last weekend’s semi-final victory against St Pats after receiving a accidental kick to the foot, but has assured she's ready to go.
“I’ve learnt more about the physicality and trying to hold my own ground with bigger players,” Mathews said.
“It would be a good feeling to score a goal in the cup final.
“Everyone will be watching and there will be grandstands around the field.
“I like that they’re trying to promote women’s football more.”
Mathews also played in Albury City’s under 16 boys side throughout the season, but will sit out their grand final to focus on the senior women’s decider.
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