Magpies Crusaders United to take on Macarthur FC in Australia Cup

The Magpies Crusaders United hit rock bottom when their coach quit early in the season, levelling match betting allegations against members of his playing group. Now, less than three month removed the club appears to have turned a corner.

After being relegated from Queensland Football’s top flight, having match betting allegations levelled against them and losing their new coach Brian Murphy in the early stages of his first season, the Magpies Crusaders United had hit an all-new low.

Less than three months later under new coach Jamie Dunning, they have won five straight games and are preparing for an Australia Cup round of 32 battle with South Western Sydney A-League club, Macarthur FC.

It is a remarkable turnaround for a playing group Dunning described as “all over the place” when he arrived in late April.

“To be honest, there was no structure and no real playing style,” Dunning said.

“Obviously a lot had happened to the group and they were a bit unsure of themselves, but slowly and surely we have got the group together.”

The Magpies Crusaders sit in sixth position in QPL1 but only two points shy of the top four.

Last Wednesday it was revealed they would take on the A-League club here in Mackay, with the game later changed to July 30 at BB Print Stadium.

Dunning said they enjoyed a brief period of excitement as they received the news, before having to refocus on the three pivotal QPL1 fixtures they have to come in the lead-up to the Australia Cup clash.

“It is a great occasion and I’m sure the boys are happy about it but it is my job to get them back on track,” he said.

“Once we finish the game against Southside on the 23rd, we’ll have the week to think about the A-League game.”

The Magpies Crusaders’ coach wanted to stress they were not interested in making up the numbers and believe they could win.

“They (Macarthur) have been in preseason and they’ll be lacking match fitness,” Dunning said.

“The boys will get clips and videos of them and we do our homework as we always do, and then it is just coming up with a game plan, really.

“It will be a bit different to the league game plans because we are playing a professional team that will dominate the ball and so we have to come up with a plan in being good out of possession and then we have the ball, we’ve got to use it to our best ability.

“It is great opportunity for us and we want to win it, we don’t just want to turn up and just be there for the occasion.”

Delores Tuyishime in Magpies Crusaders v Sunshine Coast Fire in the FQPL1 at Sologinkin Oval. Saturday, March 19, 2022. Picture: Tara Miko

Of the players he has been most impressed with so far, Dunning said Delors Tuyishime has been a clear standout for his leadership and strength in defence.

He also mentioned “old head” Michael Lyall, workhorse Diego Cuba, improved goalkeeper Ethan Reed and young star Angus McKenzie as valuable contributors.

The club has also welcomed a number of new recruits mid-season including the returning Jeremy Green and Morgan Saunders, who has scored four goals in two starts.

Dunning said irrespective of how the team finished this year’s football calendar, Mackay should be proud of what they have been able to achieve.

“From where they have come from it has been unbelievable, we’ve managed to get a real tight-knit group, they fight for each other and are good lads,” he said.

“We’ve changed the culture around a little bit and the mindset.

“Whether that is finals football or what they’ve done so far, they’ve made the town proud and especially qualifying for the last 32 of the Cup.”

Personally, Dunning described his time in Mackay as the biggest challenge of his coaching career.

Football Queensland is yet to submit the findings of its investigation into match betting allegations at the club.