They're coming off one of their most disappointing performances of the season and facing a challenging final few rounds so it's easy to see why Macquarie United coach Paul Crain is labelling this weekend's match as one of the most important of the Western Premier League season.
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Macquarie is four points clear at the top of the ladder heading into Saturday's derby meeting with Orana Spurs but given last weekend's loss and the unpredictable nature of the competition Crain sees a result this weekend as vital.
"We've won a couple of games early in the year but the season is not over and the boys are 110 per cent focused on one of our most important games of the season," he said.
"We need points this weekend. That's what it comes down to.
"We know Spurs is a good side with quality players but a solid result this weekend will give us great momentum heading into the second half of the season."
Macquarie suffered a 2-0 loss to Barnstoneworth FC last time out, having not suffered defeat in six weeks prior to that.
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The Dubbo side "got what it deserved" in that match but there were a number of players missing.
Goalkeeper Tim Duggan, the influential Rhys Osbourne, and Justin Sutton were among those unavailable but they will be on deck for Saturday's match at Hans Claven.
"It was a bit of a wake-up call," Crain said of the defeat.
"We got outplayed and out-enthused. The things we had been doing didn't happen and you have games like that.
"I'd rather it be in round nine than later in the season ... we weren't at our best but we've basically got a full strength squad for the first time in five or six weeks so we're confident that we will be competitive against a very good Spurs team."
Spurs suffered a shock 4-1 loss to the previously winless Parkes United last weekend, further showing the surprising nature of the competition, but prior to that they had been playing some of their best football of the season and remain just three points outside the top four.
Spurs have recently defeated Lithgow who are just one of two teams to have beaten Macquarie this season.
"The results are all over the place but the most important thing is the guys learnt from last weekend," Crain said of his side.
"We're just concentrating on our next five games. The goal at the start of the season was the top four and that's still the goal.
"The guys are raring to go and we need a result against Spurs."
After this weekend Macquarie meets Lithgow again, before a midweek derby clash with Bulls, the bye, and then a final round trip to Bathurst to take on Panorama FC.
"There's no easy games at all," Crain added.
Saturday's match will kick-off at 3pm while the Dubbo FC Bulls are also at home.
The Bulls are second on the ladder and will take on a Barnstoneworth FC side which drew 2-all with Panorama on Thursday night.
That match kicks off at 4.30pm.
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.
