Saturday’s trial match is a crucial part of the jigsaw puzzle that is Central Coast Mariners’ A-League season according to coach Phil Moss.

The Mariners take on F3 rivals Newcastle Jets in the pre-season match at Glen Willow Stadium.

Moss, who has been Mariners’ head coach since November 2013 after three years as an assistant, said tomorrow’s clash was almost as important as an actual A-League considering they are playing their archrivals and first round opponents.

“It is a crucial part of our preparation and it is great to go up against another A-League opponent,” Moss said.

“We are playing [Newcastle] in round one, in a few weeks’ time so we don’t want to give too much away but at the same time we want to have a close look at them.”

Moss has been using the pre-season to work on combinations and to give the younger players the opportunity to prove themselves against quality opposition.

The Mariners have had trial matches against fellow A-League clubs Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar already but it is the game against the Jets that Moss sees as a vital component.

Whoever can put in the better performance will no doubt come away with the spoils and plenty of confidence heading into the October 11 first round clash between the two teams.

It will also be the Mariners’ first glimpse at Jets’ new head coach Phil Stubbins.

Stubbins has previously been an assistant coach at Adelaide United but takes the reigns of the Novocastrians.

“It will be good to see what Phil [Stubbins] has brought in the place. It is his first year at a new club, it will be interesting to see how they play,” Moss said.

“But from our perspective it is only about us.

“There is 23 [players] in our squad who are capable of playing at this level. I don’t have a strong 11 in my mind but I’ve got several players covering all positions.”

The match kicks off at 4pm on Saturday at Glen Willow Stadium.