Macquarie United to welcome Lithgow to No. 1 Oval

After eight rounds of the Western Premier League season last year's minor premiers has just two wins to its name and sits third from bottom on the ladder.

Macquarie has lost as many games as it did all of last season but despite that the Dubbo side is just one point off the all-important fifth spot and a place in the finals.

"You never want to be near the bottom," captain Rhys Osborne said ahead of Sunday's meeting with Lithgow.

"It's important to pick up points and separate yourself from the others and rise up towards where we want to be.

"We're only getting beaten by a goal here or there and we've tightened up our defence in the last few weeks ... we're only five points off fourth so if we get a couple of wins it changes everything."

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Lithgow sits directly below Macquarie United on the ladder and heads to Dubbo having scored the one win this season.

Only the winless Mudgee Gulgong has scored less goals than Lithgow and that, combined with Macquarie's improved defensive performances, provides Sunday's hosts with a boost.

The focus is now turning towards the forward areas, with Macquarie's attack yet to fully click this season.

The departure of the league's leading scorer from last season, Jesse Spang, during the off-season left a void but the one positive for Osborne, coach Paul Crain, and everyone else involved is there are plenty of attacking opportunities being created.

"The defence is getting back to where it needs to be and just some changes and a bit more leadership and organisation has really helped," the captain said, before looking at the attack.

"You score three against Panorama, three against Parkes here a couple of weeks ago, and then one at Orange last week and we probably had seven corners that were dangerous but the ball just went over the top or forced a save so we are creating them.

"There's a bit of bad luck and we need some consistency and a bit more calmness in front of goal may help us.

"We're creating chances and it's all about taking those moments that are presented to you in a game."

Injuries have been one of the major reasons the sky blues have battled at times this season and the side was dealt more blows at Orange last weekend.

Will Hodges remains out with an ankle injury while in a blow Jarrod Abbott suffered a broken ankle after a nasty challenge from a Barnstoneworth player last weekend.

He's set to miss the rest of the season and Osborne said there's been roughly a team's worth of players who have spent time on the sidelines already this season.

"You don't want to make excuses and you've got to perform with what you've got but it makes it hard to get any continuity," Osborne said.

"We haven't been good enough but that makes your job harder."

Sunday's match kicks off at 1pm at No. 1 Oval.

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