It was five years ago when the Jets spoiled United's party in the inaugural match of the W-League with a 2-1 victory.

United has reigned supreme since then, and will be a red-hot favourite to extend its winning streak over the Jets to nine games at Wanderers Oval in Newcastle on Saturday.

The Jets haven't registered a point after four games this season, and are holding up the foot of the table.

In contrast, fourth-placed United is desperate to bounce back from its first defeat of the campaign last weekend - a 1-0 loss to Brisbane Roar.

It appears to be a massive mismatch, but Gill, a survivor from the historic game in 2008, is well aware United will be punished for any complacency.

''Their form of late hasn't been the best, but we can't afford to go into this game half-heartedly,'' Gill said. ''After our performance against Brisbane there's a lot for us to work on. It's about simple things like getting our passes right and going back to basics.''

United conceded a goal in the eighth minute, ending a perfect run of more than three hours after back-to-back wins against the Roar (3-0) and Western Sydney Wanderers (2-0) to open the season.

Gill has started all three games, already equalling her total appearances from a year ago.

A torn quad muscle and an ankle injury restricted the 24-year-old to just one game in the starting line-up and another two matches off the bench.

In her quest for more game time, Gill took up a three-month stint from March to June with FC Slovacko in the Czech Republic, the former club of ex-Canberra United coach Jitka Klimkova.

''It was a pretty incredible experience,'' Gill said.

''I just wanted to get some game time, get some minutes into my legs and have a good run, which is what I did over there.

''It gave me a bit of confidence and some of the physicality in Europe is higher than what we see in Australia, which is something I had to adjust to and tried to bring back here.''

Gill believes the standard of the W-League has improved markedly since United lost its opening game to the Jets in 2008.

''That first year of the W-League we didn't know what to expect because it was a new competition,'' Gill said.

''Reflecting back on it, it's really come a long way and all the teams are more competitive.

''Newcastle haven't had the best start to this season, but we can't take them lightly tomorrow.''

SATURDAY

W-League round five: Newcastle Jets v Canberra United at Wanderers Oval, 3pm.