But the 24-year-old midfielder was simply glad to be back.

Pender is based in Blacktown and had not played a competition match since June 20 last year, when Sydney was plunged into a lengthy COVID-enforced lockdown.

It came after just five appearances for the Panthers in 2021. Pender joined Warners Bay from NPLW NSW side APIA Leichhardt in round six but was sidelined after two games due to an ankle injury. The former Jets player then only got three more games in.

"I've been waiting a long time for the competition to start with lockdown and everything," Pender said. "It feels like forever and it's good to be back.

"I found it very difficult, especially being in lockdown for so long. I was doing home gym and treadmill and just walking a lot.

"We could only really leave the house to go shopping or to exercise for an hour a day. I kicked the ball around the backyard but there's not a lot of space. But I wanted to keep fit so when soccer got back I wasn't so far behind everyone."

Pender, who played two national league seasons with the Newcastle Jets between 2016 and 2018 before two campaigns with Warners Bay in 2018 and 2019, was key to the Panthers' round-one success.

She produced two long-range strikes to give them a 2-0 half-time lead then completed a match hat-trick with another in the second half.

Warners Bay have been widely touted as the team to beat this year after adding Jets players Cassidy Davis, Tara Andrews and Lauren Allan to their roster.

But coach Craig Atkins expects Pender to be just as influential as the A-League Women's trio.

"Tara [Pender] was fantastic, attacking wise and defensively," Atkins said post-match on Saturday. "She was a key player there in the midfield and scored three really good goals.

"I'm excited to see the Elodies [Elodie Dagg] and Penders and AJs [Adriana Konjarski] combining with those other three.

"It could be extremely dangerous at times and Tara's first game of the season is a really positive sign for if she continues that."

Pender also hopes the good form continues.

"I just want to have a good year, no injuries, be consistent, play well and get back to my best football," she said.

"I had offers to play in Sydney again but I know the group at Warners Bay and I feel comfortable there.

"The competition here is improving a lot. It's going to be a very tough season. It's definitely improved and there's a of young talent coming through."

NPLW NNSW Points table: Warners Bay 3, Maitland 3, Magic 3, Azzurri 3, Adamstown 0, Olympic 0, Mid Coast 0, New Lambton 0.

Round 2: Saturday: Azzurri v Magic, Adamstown v New Lambton. Sunday: Olympic v Maitland, Warners Bay v Mid Coast.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: