"Can't wait" for big Cup clash

Pictured: Marquez Walters, celebrating another goal, will be a key figure for Moreton City Excelsior. Picture: Ella Dingwall (@ella_media)

Moreton City Excelsior (MCE) is hoping to make tomorrow a “special night” when the glitz and glamour of the Australia Cup Round of 32 comes to Wolter Park.

The region’s last representative in the national competition faces Campbelltown City, from Adelaide, before the TV cameras, tomorrow, kick-off 7pm. For tickets click here

MCE, formed when Moreton Bay United and Albany Creek Excelsior merged late last year, is the youngest club in this year’s Australia Cup.

As Moreton Bay United it reached the Round of 32 in 2017, beating Broadmeadow Magic in a thriller, and in 2023 when Heidelberg, from Victoria, proved too strong.

“Last years’ experience against interstate opposition was a valuable learning opportunity for us,” MCE coach Cameron Millar said.

“Those lessons have strengthened our position and helped our preparation for this year's challenge.”

Millar said his team, second in the NPL Qld and in the Kappa Cup final, is “driven to deliver a performance our club can be proud of”.

“The competition provides an excellent platform to raise the profile of our players as well as our newly-established club,” he said.

“We have a number of ambitious young players who I believe, given the chance to work in a full-time professional environment, have the potential to excel at the next level.

“Campbelltown City is a powerhouse in the NPL SA and has a strong track record in the National Rounds of the Australia Cup. We can’t wait to compete against them.”

Striker Marquez Walters, the NPL's joint leading scorer, said on the club's Facebook page: "We can’t go into any game thinking it’s going to be a walk in the park.

"We are family based, a club that depends on all the energy they (fans) bring … the 12^th man. I really believe it would be a great night if everyone came down and supported us."

Defender Rhys Gwynn-Jones added: "Home games are what draws the crowds in, giving yourself a chance to play against a team from another state, the massive opportunity and exposure for the club in general."

Campbelltown City, third on their ladder, caused a major upset last year beating A-League Macarthur 2-1 and five years ago lost narrowly to Melbourne City.

“I’ve been here since I was four, apart from when playing A-League,” forward Marc Marino, 28, said, “people are buzzing about the cup game.

“Everyone gets excited. We’re looking forward to coming up there.”

Marino, who played for Melbourne City, Adelaide United and Australia Under 20, said the current squad was a “good mix” of players.

“The bulk of the team has been together for five or six years,” he said, “we play an attractive style of football and like to attack.

“We also have variety - good ball players and players that get stuck in. We’ve been playing well lately, but not got the results.”

Tickets are $10 adults, $5 children, available online via trybooking.com. Click here