When Macquarie United coach Paul Crain set a target of claiming maximum points from back-to-back derby clashes in the Western Premier League it might have seemed like a big ask.
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Macquarie took on Dubbo FC and the Orana Spurs, the two grand finalists from last season's local competition, in the space of four days.
But the coach's belief was justified in a big way.
After a dominant 5-2 win over the Bulls last Thursday Macquarie kept things rolling on Sunday when a Jesse Spang hat-trick highlighted a 4-1 win over Spurs.
It means Macquarie sits in a share of top spot with Bulls heading into the round six bye, one that is welcome after the bruising derby clash at a wet Hans Claven on Sunday.
"My goal for the squad was to have as many points as possible before the bye," Crain said.
"We had a tight loss to Lithgow and drew with Barnies [at Orange] and other than that we're going okay.
"It's a long season but the way the boys are playing I expect us to be top four, probably around the bottom of it."
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Crain has regularly been setting goals for his side.
He laid down another set last week ahead of the meeting with Macquarie's two local rivals and his close-knit squad responded.
"It's just a really good feeling at the moment," Crain said.
"Bulls and Spurs are two of the top teams and I wanted six points or a minimum of four.
"We got six so it was strong performances and we used 18 or 19 players across the two games."
While Crain did rotate across the two games it was also the first opportunity for the coach to use his full-strength squad.
Spang starred in Sunday's win, scoring three after a double in the win over the Bulls, while Justin Pickering also chimed in with a goal.
Pickering's efforts have impressed his coach so far this season and while Crain is also delighted with Spang's performances, although banging them into the back of the net is the striker's job.
"He's doing what I want him to do and that's score goals," Crain said.
"I'm happy with the performances but that's why he's there and it's the result of good build-up play."
As well as the key men contributing in the two wins, youngsters Aidan Todhunter and Seth Hechanova made their first grade debuts while newcomer Brad 'Alfie' Matiuscenko also made his first start for the club.
A newcomer to town from the Wollongong region, Matiuscenko made his first appearance from the bench on Sunday and caught the eye during his time on the pitch.
The fresh legs were welcome against a Spurs side which showed some signs of fatigue after a loss to Panorama FC at Bathurst just a day prior.
It was a tough weekend for the Spurs outfit which was beaten 4-1 by the Goats before the heavy loss to their Dubbo rivals on Sunday.
Spurs sits last on the ladder after five rounds.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
