Orana Spurs win during opening round of Dubbo football

The Dubbo District Football Association (DDFA) first grade champions kicked off the new season with a hard-fought, come-from-behind 2-1 win over Newtown at Lady Cutler 3.

It was particularly pleasing for coaches Ben Manson and Jared Corby given the changes which have occurred within the squad since last season's finals.

This year the DDFA rules have changed so any club which fields a side in the Western Premier League - which Spurs does alongside Dubbo FC and Macquarie United - must nominate 12 WPL players who must stay in the regional competition and can not drop back and play in the local matches.

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That wasn't the case last year and many of Spurs' players were forced to back up from WPL duty on Saturday and line up on Sundays.

"It's been a bit of a challenge but we've tripled in size this year," a delighted Manson said, before talking about the positive feel at the club.

"We've got new players so we must be doing something right, which is exciting.

"There's new people on board. Jared and I have joined the board as well and there's some fresh faces and the biggest thing is the nice, fun culture we've got."

It wasn't the most cohesive performance on Sunday from Spurs, understandably, but the desire within the players was the biggest positive for the coaches.

Newtown began well and controlled proceedings for long periods and grabbed the match's first goal.

It seemed they were heading towards victory but Spurs struck twice late on to start their campaign in perfect fashion.

"I'm proud of the way we played," Manson said.

"We're working on a different system with more communication. It's hard when you've got new players and you want everyone to communicate but the biggest thing is just wanting to work hard for the player next to you.

"I can talk about tactics but at the end of the day every team is doing the same so what really wins you games is the heart you have.

"We saw that on the weekend. We were down 1-0 but scored two goals in the final 15 minutes to win."

New recruit Bailey McCabe scored the equaliser for Spurs and then captain Aidan Shields stood up when it mattered and produced a cool finish after an outstanding individual run as time ticked down.

Manson was pleased with the goal-scorers' all-round performances and added they're now in line to be part of Spurs' squad when they start their WPL season on Saturday.

Spurs had the bye in the opening round of the WPL last weekend and will play host to Orange's Barnstoneworth United on Saturday.

"It was a great header from Bailey and Aidan just ran past everyone down the wing and then slotted it in," Manson said.

Elsewhere in Sunday's opening round, RSL 78s scored a commanding victory over South Dubbo Wanderers.

RSL 78s was a resounding 6-0 winner to shoot to the top of the table early, while Dubbo FC sits second after also starting their season with a win.

The Bulls downed Macquarie United 3-0 while the final match of the round in first grade resulted in a 2-1 win for the Westside Panthers over Wellington.

The Panthers and Bulls meet in round two while Newtown takes on Macquarie United, Wellington takes on RSL 78s and the Spurs will do battle with the Wanderers.

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