Women's team set to take first step south for Central Coast Mariners Central Coast Mariners could soon have a W-League team again. Central Coast Mariners are edging closer towards a move into the northern suburbs after owner Mike Charlesworth confirmed he is working to create a W-League team based at North Sydney Oval as well as forming a youth academy in the region. As revealed by Fairfax Media on November 26, the Mariners are looking to move more games to North Sydney Oval - for financial incentives and to engage more supporters - and that could begin with a women's football team. The Mariners are one of the few A-League clubs that do not have a women's team in the national competition. That could change, with Charlesworth and local football associations in the northern Sydney region expressing a desire to co-host a W-League team. It is understood discussions have taken place in the past fortnight between the Mariners and football clubs in the northern suburbs regarding the joint venture. "It would entail the Mariners having a W-League team in north Sydney, I can't give any more information than that but it's certainly on the agenda," Charlesworth said. The Mariners owner has also had discussions with local clubs and associations about establishing a northern suburbs-based youth academy linked with the club as part of the Mariners' push into Sydney's north. "From our point of view, if we're going to expand into that region, we'll have to do something in a tangible way," he said. Coming for one game a season is fine for that night but to have a physical presence and develop the supporter base that we want ... then we have to do something in the football community, so that means work the market. We would like to see a Mariners academy in northern Sydney, we would like to see a W-League team. The Mariners will play a one-off match at North Sydney Oval at 7.30pm on Thursday when they host Wellington Phoenix. It is understood a big attendance and community response could lead to more games at the venue. More than 5000 tickets had been sold by Wednesday afternoon and the venue's owner, North Sydney Council, expects an attendance of 10,000 due to an anticipated large number of walk-ups. A crowd figure of 10,000 will deliver a profitable gate receipt for the club and could tempt Charlesworth to bring more games to the venue. The Mariners pay $7500 in stadium rental fees at their home ground, Bluetongue Stadium - understood to the be the lowest in the A-League - and Charlesworth confirmed they were looking for a reduced tenancy rate when Gosford City Council assumes management on February 1. "We want to cut a better deal with Gosford council," Charlesworth said. Ten thousand [supporters at North Sydney Oval] is our target, and that will be a success, but I think there are other factors: the ongoing stadium deal that we'll get with the council, and the ongoing stadium deal that we may potentially get with Gosford council. The Mariners' squad depth will be tested during Thursday night's match with just 16 players likely to be eligible. Phil Moss will have few selection decisions to make for his extended squad due to suspensions and injuries. Youth players Brent Griffiths and Michael Neill received one-match bans due to red cards in the National Youth League last week while defender Zach Anderson and youngster Tom Slater are both likely absences due to back injuries. Kiwi international Michael McGlinchey is struggling to overcome fatigue, and is likely to be rested for Thursday's game in order to be fully fit for Monday's match away to Western Sydney Wanderers. Despite the setbacks, Moss is confident of getting a result with the players at his disposal. "I wouldn't say that we're down to bare bones because we still have some great players who are available," Moss said.