Coach Ash Wilson believed victory against W-League heavyweights Sydney would serve as a boost for the Newcastle Jets with their season-opener less than three weeks away.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Jets beat last year's grand finalists 1-0 in a trial match at Valentine Sports Complex on Sunday. The match will be Newcastle's only pre-season hit-out against another W-League side before hosting Brisbane in round one at No.2 Sportsground on December 28.
"At the end of the day, it's a trial match and there's still plenty to build on, but there were some positive signs," Wilson told the Newcastle Herald.
"It was about using the game to reinforce the things that we've worked on and it was really good to see the girls do some of those things really successfully. But a win also just keeps them on a high for the next couple of weeks at training, so hopefully it keeps the motivation level and intensity level high at training.
"That's what you want. You want them to be motivated throughout the next couple of weeks and, if you can keep getting that level out of them at training, it's only going to be more beneficial for them when the season starts."
The Jets are yet to unveil their 2020-21 squad but revealed on social media on Sunday Sophie Harding had scored the winner against the Sky Blues, who used most of their players.
Harding scored 10 goals in 11 appearances for North West Sydney in the NSW National Premier League Women's this year.
Scoring was an issue for the Jets last campaign and at the start of pre-season last month Wilson said she was looking for players to complement long-serving Jets striker Tara Andrews.
"Tara is always solid," Wilson said. "I rotated some people, so she played in her usual nine position and then I gave her a bit of time in the midfield towards the end of the game to see what she can do to link up with people and to create opportunities.
"She's got high standards, so she's probably wishing she did a little bit more with a couple of opportunities. But at the same time, just her ability to bring in people and direct people, she was very good. And she's versatile, which was another pleasing aspect."
The Jets are at home for three of their first four matches. They host Adelaide at No.2 Sportsground in round two then Canberra at McDonald Jones Stadium in round four.
Related:
For faster access to the latest Newcastle news download our NEWCASTLE HERALD APP and sign up for breaking news, sport and what's on sent directly to your email