Last season's minor premiers have endured an injury-hit and inconsistent start to the 2021 Western Premier League campaign and coach Paul Crain insists earning some kind of result at Parkes this weekend is vital to his side's finals chances.

Macquarie has scored two wins and two losses so far this season but both the defeats were significant.

The sky blues suffered an 8-5 hammering at the hands of ladder-leaders Waratahs United in round two while last time out resulted in a 4-0 derby defeat to Orana Spurs.

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After a much-needed chance to rest-up during last week's bye, the fifth-placed Macquarie heads to Parkes this weekend with one of the stronger lineups its fielded all season and Crain said it's time to make that count.

"This is where it starts," Crain said.

"I believe we've played the top three sides so far in Waratahs, Spurs, and Bulls so we need to beat the teams around us.

"I expect we would want to get points this weekend if we want to push for finals.

While the mood within the camp remains positive after two wins and two losses to start the campaign, Crain wants to see his players show more self-belief on the field.

Intensity and composure on the ball will be key against a Parkes side which, like Macquarie, likes to get on the front foot and attack.

"The mood is fine. The guys know they've underperformed and I've put it to them that they need to be better so we'll see how they respond this weekend," Crain added.

"We've got most of our troops back and this will be a good test for the boys. Parkes has been excellent so far and they're well-coached by Meghan (Kempson) and they like to play football so we're going to have to be at our best to get a result.

"If we are to make anything of this season we've got to start winning now."

Macquarie is already seven points off first-placed Waratahs after the first five rounds.

Parkes finished with the wooden spoon last season but has shown real development already this year and sits just one point off Macquarie, with a 3-1 win over Mudgee Gulgong a highlight so far.

Parkes impressed Crain even last season and he felt his side was lucky to score 4-2 and 4-3 wins over the Cobras during their run to the minor premiership.

Elsewhere this weekend, No. 1 Oval will host the match of the round as the Dubbo FC Bulls and Orana Spurs meet in a bumper derby.

The sides sit second and third on the ladder respectively heading into the clash, which will kick-off at 5pm.

In other games, the Mudgee Gulgong Wolves hosts Lithgow and Barnstoneworth United welcomes Bathurst's Panorama FC to Orange.

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