Premier League Hockey: New Souths coach Angela Johnson is delighted with derby effort

Yes the former Souths striker is no longer a Hennessey and many of the rules have changed to help increase the speed of play, but the two blues still had the determination and fighting spirit that was there back in her playing days.

It helped them to come from two goals down to post a 2-all draw with St Pat's in their match at Bob Roach Field, a Sarah Watterson strike with just over six minutes left seeing Souths split the points.

"It was fabulous," Johnson said.

"Particularly we noted there was some work to be done in the second half, and for two goals to come in that space and quite a strong defensive effort means we've got quite a lot to take away from there.

"I would also say that as we continue to grow as a group the communication will grow as well and with that other things. So game number two, quite a good result for us."

Though it has been a number of years since Johnson has stood in a dugout at Bathurst, she is not new to coaching.

She previously coached the Bathurst under 18s girls side to half state championships glory - that outfit including current Souths player Ali Stanford - and in 2007 she was the assistant coach of the New South Wales under 15s side which won gold at nationals.

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Johnson was lured back to Souths given Mandy Griffiths, who had intended to coach the two blues this season, is battling cancer.

"I'm actually helping out for the year, I've taken on a position as a way to support Mandy but also to support the girls. The girls reached out so, hopefully I can value add something to the group," she said.

"It's been 10 years since I was last on the field for prem, so it's been a long time between drinks."

After just one game it is clear Johnson, a member of Souths' 2006 grand final side, is adding something to the side.

When Souths' players came into the dugout at half-time having conceded 19 seconds earlier, Johnson got her players to immediately focus on the positives by asking them to list things they'd done well.

She helped them work on ways to shut down Pat's and kept the positive feedback coming after full-time.

"I'd say that specifically in the second and third quarter they [Pat's] did dominate the play and that was where I was very specific in the instructions and communication with the girls. We were also then taking the feedback from the girls on the field so we could put things into action," she said.

"So I'm very happy with the girls' effort, especially in defence playing as a unit in that last quarter. I think that's something to recognise, the strength in our defensive line was then giving the push forward and inspiration to our strikers."

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