ANDREW URRY blogs on the Brisbane Road for BPL. You can join our blogging network by clicking here.

In a season of many disappointments last year one of the real plus points for Brisbane Roar was the rivalry with Gold Coast United. That may seem a daft thing to say when you consider we got beaten three times, including a stuffing to match any Christmas turkey on Boxing Day, but it proved a defining moment in our short history as a football club.

Because basically the world's greatest football clubs are defined by their rivalries. Think Celtic and Rangers come immediately to mind, the same with Boca Juniors and River Plate, Fenerbahce and Galatasary. The same is true of less famous clubs as well, growing up as a kid in England the Essex Derby between the United's of Southend and Colchester were always the most passionate and feisty affairs of the season.

Until last year however Brisbane didn't have a rival. Sure, Sydney FC is always an eagerly anticipated match but it's a rivalry which is one-sided. We may dislike them but they don't in all honesty feel the same way about us, not like they do about Melbourne Victory. No, in Gold Coast we finally had a proper derby with an edge to it. The first games you check for when the fixtures are released, the games you want to win more than all the others.

So, with the season opener being against ‘them' and just an hour and a bit train ride separating the two teams it was an army of Brisbane Roar fans which descended onto the coast. Last season's defeats, if not forgotten, were certainly pushed to the back of our minds and instead were replaced with early season optimism. We'd matched Premier League Everton just a few weeks before and this was a new team, very different to the one which had rolled over and died at Christmas the last time we made that journey.

And so it proved, with more Brisbane fans than Gold Coast ones in the stadium we bossed the first half. Playing at pace, defending high up the pitch and pressing United onto the back foot. Chances were created too, and nearly scored but without either of our strike force available the goal didn't come.

In the second half it was more even and in fact Gold Coast had opportunities to hit us with a sucker punch. However our defence, in particular Theo in goal was equal to it.

So, another chapter in the story of the M1 derby was complete and the first point gained against our rivals earned. Next on the agenda the first win, which will be extra sweet when it eventually comes. The rivalry continues and long may it last.