Goals from Zenon Caravella, Tahj Minniecon, Gol Gol Mebrahtu and Andrew Barisic gave United the win, but it was the overall performance that impressed Thwaite, who declared the team to be on the right track.

"I think from the start of the match our intensity was good and we're beginning to pressurise high up the field, which is always a good sign," said the United vice-captain.

"Our transition from defence to attack is very quick so the signs are positive, although we all know we have a little way to go yet.

"When we first started we weren't getting a lot of numbers around the ball but we're starting to do that now. We're busy in every part of the field and that gives us a lot of options to change the game very quickly."

United have incorporated two trial games a week into their program since April 30 and Thwaite claims this has been critical in creating the team dynamic, both on and off the field.

"The program of training games and trial matches has been very good for us," he said. "Miron and the coaching staff worked very hard on it and obviously the games are going have increased intensity as the standard of our opposition improves.

"The programme of games was planned very well and was in tune with our conditioning and fitness progress, so it's all worked out well for us.

"Playing a lot of games and being around each other has helped us to become a unit and all the players get on very well together; we've formed a great bond over the last few months.

"We've only got Jason (Culina) and Shane (Smeltz) to come back into the squad now and everyone is getting used to how everyone else plays."

With next week's game (June 23) against fellow Hyundai A-League newcomers North Queensland Fury looming, the stakes are about to get a little higher in preparation for the season proper.

In what will be United's first ever full 90 minutes at Skilled Park, Thwaite says the game represents a good opportunity for the team to show the Gold Coast public what they're all about.

He added: "Playing against a State League team last night was good and now we're all looking forward to the game against Fury.

"We're gelling now and it's important for us to keep our winning mentality going into the Fury match. It'll be important for us to field a strong team against Fury and we're not really thinking too much about what Fury are going to do, it's more about our game and our performance.

"We're looking to build a good foundation of displays on our home ground. We want the people who come and watch to get a feel for how we want to play the game and entertain them through the season.

"There's a lot of expectation on us but we all believe we can achieve our aims.

"We're focusing on what we've learned at training and if we can take that into our upcoming games, starting next week against Fury, then I'm sure that will stand us in good stead for the rest of the year."