Magpies Crusaders break losing streak with 3-2 victory over managerless Redlands United, after the coach was red carded late in the game

The Crusaders have broken their drought, downing Redlands in a fierce clash that ended with the visiting coach red-carded, jeers and cheers.

Redlands coach Richard Greer receives a red card against Magpies Crusaders. Picture: Matthew Forrest

A controversial red card to Redlands United head coach Richard Greer provided the spectators at Sologinkin Oval with some amusement in an excitement-filled Saturday night clash.

The red card came late in the 3-2 win to the Magpies Crusaders, after a scuffle broke out on the sidelines between players from both sides.

Greer became entangled with players from Mackay and Whitsundays in the skirmish and the match referees deemed his involvement as unnecessary.

A scuffle broke out late in the Magpies Crusaders v Redlands United match. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Magpies Crusaders coach Tom Ballantyne refused to comment on the situation.

“We’ll leave that to see what happens in the referees report,” he said post-match.

The Magpies Crusaders broke an eight-game losing streak against Redlands, with the side finding the back of the net multiple on three occasions – a first for their season.

Mackay and Whitsundays used set plays to its advantage, with multiple scores coming directly from free kicks.

Ballantyne said the side had identified that avenue to goal during the week off.

“We had spoken about how they were weak from set plays, and crosses in general,” Ballantyne said.
“Their keeper wasn’t the best against those, so it was something we had identified earlier in the week but we hadn’t spent much time working on it because we’re generally pretty good at delivering the ball in.

“We’ve got Jordy Vlevgels who can deliver the ball well and we’ve got two guys in Jaiden Brown and Marko Milutinovic who are pretty brave in heading shots.”

Daniel Goni (left) and Marko Milutinovic celebrate a goal for Magpies Crusaders. Picture: Matthew Forrest

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The win will not allow Mackay and Whitsundays to jump Redlands on the NPL ladder, but the club has drawn level on six points and behind by five goals in the difference.

Ballantyne said the side was excited to have broken the drought but there was still work to be done.

“The boys were pretty stoked to grind one out, but we’re still disappointed that we conceded a really sloppy goal in the first six minutes after we scored early,” he said.

“That was something that we had worked on defensively at training so it was a bit disappointing, but a win’s a win, we ground it out, we took the lead three times but gave it away twice.

“The boys are up and about, sometimes those wins mean more than the nice, pretty wins.”

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Originally published as Magpies Crusaders break losing streak with 3-2 victory over managerless Redlands United, after the coach was red carded late in the game