Orana Spurs coach Ben Manson isn't one to get carried away but he can't help but feel a little excited about his side's prospects this season after moving within two points of top spot on Saturday.
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A rampant opening half hour set the tone at Hans Claven Oval as Spurs struck four early goals on the way to downing Parkes 5-3 in the weekend's Western Premier League round nine fixture.
Justin Gibson and Jake Grady both scored doubles to underline their importance to the team while man of the match Duncan Cahill again pulled the strings in midfield to move the Dubbo side within touching distance of Orana Waratahs.
Spurs' win came in the first match of a double-header at Hans Claven, with Waratahs and Dubbo FC playing out a 2-all draw in the evening's top-of-the-table battle.
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The results means Waratahs remains top on 20 points while the Bulls have 19 and now Spurs are just one point further back.
"It's exciting to be in the top three at the moment and be keeping our position," Manson said.
"We're six clear of fourth now, which is great, and we're going to keep pushing.
"I don't want to get too excited yet and our goal was to only make finals and we're looking good at this stage but we can't be complacent."
After the first 27 minutes on Saturday Spurs were up 4-0 and Grady had a double to his name.
The influential midfielder, who's been regarded as one of the very best players in Dubbo for a number of years, sat out the start of the season as he considered having a year off but in two games back in the WPL he's proven his class.
His first goal on Saturday came from a driving left-foot finish on the left-side of the box while his second came off his right on the opposite side.
"Unbelievable," Manson said of Grady.
"I think he's found his love for football again, which is excellent because a player like that, who to me is one of the better players in Dubbo football, needs to be playing.
"He's a fit bloke and one of the fittest I know. He doesn't stop all game and you can't teach that work ethic and huger to score goals and get forward. It's amazing to have on a football team."
The coach was also delighted for striker Gibson, who has impressed for his new club this season but has been determined to get his name on the scoresheet more.
Gibson's first was spectacular as it was a floating effort from way out on the left sideline and floated over the keeper's outstretched hand.
"I reckon he meant it," Manson laughed.
"He does do a lot of long shots in training and does shoot from anywhere so I'm going to give him that one. A lot of people said it was a cross but after seeing what he does in training I'll let him have it."
That goal came in the 12th minute and made it 2-0 after Grady's early strike.
Grady made it 3-0 on 24 minutes and then he turned provider just two minutes later when his cross was fired in by Jake Ferguson.
Parkes got on the board through Alec Bateson to complete an action-packed first half-four and that was how it remained until the break.
The match came into life again on 64 minutes when a Parkes player was sent off and just five minutes later Gisbon made it 5-1 when he was on hand to tap the ball home after an initial shot from Grady was saved.
As Spurs changed things up late on Parkes lifted and scored two flowing team goals through Brent Morgan and Blake Medlyn to round out the scoring.
"We just got a bit tired and lazy and they got a couple back on us ... that was something we've got to look at but other than that I was very pleased," Manson said.
Spurs now have two weeks off as they have their bye after the long weekend's general bye.
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