Maitland Magpies impressive in 6-1 win against a young Newcastle Olympic

Former Newcastle Jets Youth player Greguric kick started proceedings with a deft touch off a cross just 10 minutes into the game at Cooks Square Park.

Jones, from Mid North Coast, scored a brace including an audacious chip over the Olympic keeper from 30 metres out after beating two opponents.

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Winter, from New Lambton, just edged Jones for goal of the day with her effort. She beat two defenders and then almost delicately sliced her strike past the keeper.

Ainsley Childs and Bronte Peel scored the other two goals.

It was also new Maitland coach David Walkers first home game in charge of the NPL Women's side and he was very happy with how his team performed on the day.

"Happy with the shape, happy with some of the combinations starting to come together," Walker said..

"That's probably the first hit out we've been able to have with that combination of 11 together so that was really positive."

Missing from the line-up were defender Madison Gallegos who is hopeful of being back for the start of season after injuring her knee and skipper and star striker Sophie Stapleford who is only week or two away from playing.

"Obviously we have to keep in mind that Newcastle Olympic were making lots of changes and it wasn't their full first team either, which is why we were making changes as well as the game went on," Walker said of the 6-1 result against their opponent who finished second in last season's WPL.

"I think all-in-all it's a positive result, it was our second trial and we've still got another four in the lead up to the season. If we can keep building on that and keep learning after every game and every session then I'm very happy.

"The new players to the line-up had strong showings.

"They are showing us exactly what we were hoping to get from I guess those players.

"Sophie Jones has plenty of experience and she showed that today, she is a very mature head works very hard and very athletic.

"She showed those smarts by chipping the Newcastle goal keeper for a goal from about 30 metres out.

"I guess that gives those younger players an air of excitement that they can be brave too.

"Izzy, is new to the club as well. She will certainly provide us with what we are used to getting from Bronte Peel as well. To be able to be strong against three defenders and then pull off a strike like that as well.

"Whether it be the end of the game or not, she showed that physically she can compete in that space and then a beautiful finish. That's a striker's goal at any game of football."

Peel last season's WPL young player of the year and the Magpies players' player and sixteen-year-old Mercedes McNabb continue to impress with their speed, skills and work ethic.

Greguric showed she will become the third member of a youthful strike force, if anything just shading the other two in pace.

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