Plenty was expected of the latest Dubbo derby as the Bulls and Spurs went into the match inside the competition's top three after impressing through the first five rounds.

The match lived up to the hype with both sides producing some slick attacking play but it was a double for Settree which led the defending premiers to a 2-1 win and top spot on the ladder.

The teenage midfielder has been one of the most talked about players in the Premier League so far this season, having slotted into the highly-regarded Bulls midfield seamlessly.

All that had been missing from his game was goals but that changed on Saturday as his two first-half strikes sent Bulls on their way.

"First time I've scored this season so it was good to get the two," Settree said after the win.

"I've been happy with how I've been going. I had a good game in round one but then had been a bit sloppy but I felt good today."

The Bulls' midfield was again key to its success.

Despite the injury-forced absence of club legend Scott Fox so far this season the Bulls haven't missed a trick, with the trio of Settree, Thomas Busch, and captain Kobe Rapley dictating play each and every week.

Spurs had their chances in the match, the biggest of those being just before half-time when they were awarded a penalty but Joel Tongue blazed the chance over the crossbar.

They hit the woodwork numerous times throughout the match, as did Bulls, while goalkeeper Hayden Williams also kept Spurs at bay with a number of strong saves during the entertaining derby contest.

The loss was Spurs' second on the trot after a 3-1 defeat to ladder-leading Waratahs FC the week prior.

"I feel like it was pretty 50-50 but they're an exceptional team with great, new players coming in," Manson said.

"We were a bit unlucky and hit the post three or four times and it's a bit upsetting but we'll get there. We want to make top four, that's our goal."

Spurs began the match at No. 1 Oval the better and had plenty of possession but struggled to test Williams in the Bulls' goal.

Slowly but surely the premiers began to work their way into the game and Bulls pressed Spurs in and out of possession and a hard-running Settree forced the Orana defence to clear the ball in the lead-up to the first goal on 27 minutes.

From the ensuing long throw-in, a shot from inside the box from Rapley was blocked by keeper Bailey Delaney but Settree was on hand to poke home the loose ball and give his side the lead.

It was the same key players involved when Bulls extended their lead just 10 minutes later, as Rapley played a lovely through ball into the box and Settree had little problem making it 2-0.

Spurs missed the golden chance to get back into the game right on half-time and most of the second half consisted of the Bulls' defence holding off the attack.

Spurs got on the board inside the final 10 minutes when Tom McKeon headed into his own net and while both sides then hit the crossbar in the final minutes Bulls held on to move into top spot on the ladder.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: