When the Magpies took over Thornton's Newcastle Herald Women's Premier League licence this campaign, the big question was how much baggage would players bring with them after the Redbacks had struggled to win a game in recent time.

But they showed plenty of fight to turn a 1-0 half-time deficit into a 3-1 win at Cooks Square Park to draw level with Azzurri on 12 points, one behind fourth-placed Adamstown.

"We had our two leading scorers out in a must-win game, 1-0 down just on half-time from another mistake, which we've made a lot of," Hamilton said. "They showed great character in the second half. It was really big."

Maitland face Adamstown this weekend and a win could have the Magpies back in the top four as the league nears its halfway point.

"I think we are still a team that is dealing with that scenario of belief, around what we're capable of, how far can I push myself within the game, how physically competitive can I be in the game," Hamilton said.

"There's still those moments and then the moments of believing that we are good enough when we play to our maximum to win games. There's a long way to go but, if this group of players can get themselves into a semi-final, it would be a huge achievement for them."

Hamilton was full of praise for experienced attacking player Sophie Stapleford, who he said produced "a captain's performance" to inspire the second-half comeback against Azzurri.

It included "a screamer" of a goal - her first of the season.

"She went and took the game by the scruff of the neck and made it hers which was really good to see," Hamilton said.

"She's not back to full match fitness yet either but that performance would've been a nice confidence booster for her."