By Liam Emerton
While sport can be demoralising and extremely harsh, it’s the determination and never give up attitude that brings out some of our favourite results.
And that’s what happened when Bluebirds United earned their first point since their return to the Football Queensland Premier League on the weekend.
Parkana FC would throw everything at United but would only come away with a share of the spoils with the match finishing 1-1.
It was a goal from young Reuben Doherty, who played in the club’s under-16s game at 8am that same day, which brought the crowd at Webber Park to their feet.
It’s been a rough season to be a Bluebirds supporter but they made their voices heard when Doherty levelled the score in the 78th minute.
His goal, and some doggard defending from the United backline, would seal the club’s first point of the year.
After being knocked over for 10-plus goals on three separate occasions already this season, the club is finally back on track.
They will take that draw and hopefully some momentum into their match this weekend where they’ll play the Nerimbera Magpies.
The Magpies played Clinton FC in their most recent contest but they were dusted off 5-0 by the 2022 minor-premiers.
With Nerimbera soaring in to rebound from that tough loss it will take a big effort from United to keep their momentum rolling forward.
In another big game this weekend the Southside United Hawks will host Parkana FC.
Southside’s Blake Penfold, Dylan Hall and Frazer Vann each scored in their last outing which saw the side win 3-1 over Cap Coast.
With United lingering around the top four they’ll need to continue winning and that includes this weekend at Jardine Park.
Cap Coast will face the hard task of taking on Clinton FC this weekend with the Grubs hitting fine form recently.
And finally the Frenchville Roos will travel to Elizabeth Park to face off with the Berserker Bears.
In the women’s competition Bluebirds United also pulled off a top-class win over their competition rivals Central FC.
The Gladstone side showed up to Webber Park without any substitutes but were able to hold the Blueys out for 82 minutes.
But United persisted and finally broke the deadlock when Jordyn Quonoey scored before she doubled her and Bluebirds’ tallies three minutes later when she found the back of the net again.
And own goal sealed a hard-fought but well deserved win for the ladies from Webber Park.
They will now take on the Nerimbera Magpies this weekend in an intriguing clash.
Cap Coast and Frenchville FC will also face off in Yeppoon while Gladstone will host the always-fun Gladstone derby between Central and Clinton.