Panthers suffered what many consider a shock, 4-0 loss to the returning green and golds last weekend, while Confederates were also handed a round one defeat by Bathurst St Pat’s, leaving both sides yet to open their 2018 account.

“I’m sure Panthers will be hurting after that loss, they’ll come back with a vengeance I think,” Reith said.

“I saw snippets of their game on the Lithgow Mercury’s website and it looked like they still had a really strong side, which I’m sure they will again this weekend.

“A round one loss for us wasn’t ideal either and going to Lithgow any time, let alone after they’ve been beaten, is a really tough challenge but it’s one we’re up for.

“We’ve trained well and the enthusiasm is there, it always is, so I think we’ll be looking to really try and contain Panthers’ attacking power and hopefully create a few opportunities of our own.”

Confederates will have to do that without Eva Reith-Snare, who is away on NSW under-21 duty and was the side’s lone goal-scorer last week, another young gun in Grace Evans and Dubbo’s Brooke Pilcher though.

Reith said she’ll look to the likes of Heidi Townsend, Ellen Warner and Rachel Pengilly to shine.

“They’re three very good players who always play well, but with those girls away they’ll need to step up again I think,” Reith said, heaping praise on Townsend in particular.

“Heidi is coming off an outstanding [Hockey NSW Under-18 Girls’ Championship] performance, she was named development player of the tournament and was a big reason Orange did so well, so she's in great form.

“She works well with Eva in the middle, so she’ll have to work a bit harder to hold that area.

“Rach and Ellen are a bit short of match fitness but they’re the usual suspects, a couple we always look to.”

Confederates head to Lithgow to face Panthers on Saturday, the clash kicks off at 1.30pm.

That game is before the Panthers men face Bathurst St Pat’s in the second game of the day’s double headers from 3.50pm.