His side was comfortably on top at half-time in Saturday's Western Premier League derby meeting with Orana Spurs but Macquarie United coach Paul Crain wasn't taking anything for granted.
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And while his team may be firmly in control of the race for the minor premiership Crain is all too aware nothing has been won yet.
Macquarie United remains four points clear at the top of the ladder with just four rounds remaining after another Jesse Spang hat-trick highlighted Saturday's 4-1 thumping of Spurs.
"It's like I said on Saturday. It was 3-0 at half-time but games aren't won at half-time and you don't finish in the top two or talk about premiers in round 10," Crain said.
"You've got to keep going and if you don't you won't get to play in those kind of games.
"Obviously we want top four but next is top two and that's where we are and we'd get a home semi. That's the new thing for the guys."
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Being top at this moment and having by far the best differential in the competition means little to Crain.
It's all about performance and momentum for the coach and after a slight dip in recent weeks he got exactly what he wanted at Hans Claven Oval on Saturday.
Spang again starred and took a huge step towards sealing the golden boot prize for this year by scoring his second hat-trick of the season while Brooklyn Crain chimed in with the other.
It was a welcome result after a loss to Barnstoneworth FC the week prior.
"We were a lot better this week and back to where we should be. It's always tough against Spurs but the boys played really well and I'm happy with the result," Crain said, before touching on Spang and his side's attack.
"His goals came from excellent lead-up play. I didn't even know who scored them, to be honest, I thought he only had one until after the game."
That lead-up play was one of the most pleasing aspects of the game for Crain.
And while it was another commanding win, the focus remains firmly on the coming weeks and more improvement and momentum.
Macquarie meets teams currently ranked third and second - Lithgow and Dubbo FC - the next two rounds before a bye and then final round meeting with Panorama FC.
"There's still a lot to work on. We were patchy at times and against the very good sides at the pointy end of the season you can't do that," Crain said.
"I still think we've got improvement in us and they've got the inner drive to do it. It's a young side and they want to keep going."
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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.
