Macquarie United and Orana Spurs to meet in WPL derby

The two Dubbo sides are in a similar situation early in the season as they have two wins from the opening three rounds despite still being something of a work in progress.

Macquarie have been hit hard by injuries early in the year and haven't gone close to playing their full-strength side yet while there's also been injuries in the Spurs camp and a number of new players continue to find their way.

"It's hard to say what's going to happen tomorrow. We're both in the same boat," Spurs co-coach Ben Manson said.

One thing which can be expected is a more competitive match than the two the sides played out last year.

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Spurs battled through what Manson called a "shocking" 2020 season and were beaten 4-1 by eventual minor premiers Macquarie on two separate occasions.

"It will be a very, very good match," Manson said.

"It's not a grudge match but there's always been tight competition between us. Last year they flogged us and we didn't like that but this year, with the new staff and new players, I think we might even be able to surprise them.

"They'll probably come out trying to smash us and there's going to be a real match tomorrow."

Spurs are determined to prove they're not the little brother of Dubbo football behind Macquarie United and Dubbo FC this year and the signs early on are hugely positive.

After a round one bye the side downed Barnstoneworth 1-0 before coming from 2-0 down to beat Panorama FC 4-3 last weekend.

Macquarie , Spurs, and Dubbo FC are currently in a share of second spot with six points but the Orana outfit is the only side in the competition to have won every match its played this season, leading Macquarie coach Paul Crain to say his side heads into Friday's game as a slight underdog.

"If we can get anything out of the game with Spurs we'll be really happy," he said.

"We've still got plenty of improvement in us. When we'll see that, I think it will be later in the season.

"If we can hold in while we're a bit under strength and keep with the top four or five I believe that's a really good result and once we get into round two we should be somewhere there.

"We're patient and we know we've got guys coming back."

With so many players missing for Macquarie so far - Cameron Kopp is out for the season and Aeddan Todhunter, Connor Crain, and Glenn Schein are all in doubt for Friday - Crain has again turned to youth.

Brayden Smith and Blake Harding have got a taste of the WPL and caught the eye.

Both could get some minutes again on Friday night in a match which has some extra flavour given Crain was once a Spurs player.

"I used to go to training and he'd be there as senior Spurs player and now I'm coaching against him so that's pretty cool," Manson added.

Kick-off is 7pm.

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