The back-to-back A-League wooden spooners have been beyond the FFA Cup round of 32 just once, in 2014, but they will be expected to get past the Magpies.

The Mariners have defeated NPL clubs Manly 4-1 and Charlestown 5-0 in friendlies in the lead-up to the first competitive hit-out of their season.

Kye Rowles is out suspended from last season, while the Mariners could also be without visa players because of registration delays.

The former Matildas coach expected a tough match against "a very good side".

"They are almost top of the table there, based on catch-up games, and there's some really good footballers there," he said. "Obviously Matt Thompson gives them a lot of experience, and I see he started last Friday for the first time.

"Nick Cowburn pulling the strings there in midfield is obviously a key player for them and we know they have some good local players as well - Joel Wood and others. So for a Newcastle NPL club, they definitely have a strong outfit and they've been in good form. They won't be lacking in confidence and team spirit.

"We've watched the whole team, their wingers [James] Thompson and [Ryan] Clarke are quite fast and good dribblers, so we've done our homework ... we're not underestimating them by any stretch of the imagination."

"We're looking forward to. It's a big game for us and we know it's a big game for them and hopefully it's a big game for the Maitland district."

Stajcic, in his first full season in charge at the Mariners, said "every single match we play is important, every friendly, FFA Cup and A-League match we're treating the same way".

"We've already had two friendlies and we've approached them as if they were an A-League game and this FFA Cup is no different.

"There's not going to be any games or tournaments that we treat with any less respect than the A-League.

"It's a big match for us and we certainly want to turn that [record in the Cup] around and resurrect our future instead of looking back at the past."