In the Reds' first hit out since the squad began pre-season training on June 14, Dutch marksman van Dijk and Argentinean playmaker Flores found the back of the net in a lively opening 45 minutes.

Van Dijk headed home a Lucas Pantelis cross in the 20th minute before Flores doubled the lead with a sublime lob over Galaxy keeper Julian Torresan on the stroke of half time.

In encouraging signs for the Reds, the score line could have been much heavier in their favour if not for a number of fine saves from Torresan and some wasted opportunities in front of goal.

Assessing the performance, assistant coach Phil Stubbins was pleased by what he saw and believes the squad is moving in the right direction ahead of the start of the new season.

"I'm certainly very buoyed by the performance," Stubbins said. "Obviously in the first half we put out a select first team and it was very encouraging on the eye.

"I think the mentality and the objectives that we've been driving over the course of pre season were witnessed in the first half and we really played with some attacking intent.

"I thought most of the boys were fabulous in their efforts and although the score line was only 2-0, it was a very confident and positive performance, and very encouraging.

"To witness tonight what we've been trying to instil in the course of the pre season in terms of getting the ball down and playing football, I'm hoping that other people will talk about the style of football that was played tonight."

The Reds will next face Wellington Phoenix at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday, July 16.

While Phoenix sure to provide a tougher test, Stubbins is confident the Reds can carry the style of football they showed against Adelaide Galaxy into next Friday night's trial match against the A-League rival.

"The game against Wellington will be a step up again, but having said that we'll be hopeful that the boys adopt exactly the same mentality as what they did tonight, which is to attack and pressure high up the pitch and get the ball down and play," Stubbins said.

"I thought there was some very encouraging signs that we played some good stuff and got around the back of their (Galaxy's) defence a lot, and if it wasn't for the goalkeeper having a big night out, it could have a been a bigger score in our favour."

National Youth League keeper Nick Munro started between the posts for the Reds after Mark Birighitti was a late withdrawal with hip soreness but there were no other injuries to report from the match.