PORT United was sloppy in patches and slick in others as the team got its first look at Football Mid North Coast Premier League opposition on Saturday.
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United lost its cool in more than one way in the heat of Koala Street, with the physicality of Kempsey Saints' play leading to a couple of altercations on the pitch.
Lucas Heagney was given a rest the trial match version of a red card but United was allowed to square the ledger later on by having another player return to the park.
The frustration set in during the second half after United started the match well.
The odd push in the back, which went unpunished by the referee, got on the players' nerves, according to United coach Chris Walsh.
"They lost their bundle a bit," he said.
The final score was 2-2, but that seldom matters in a pre-season trial. Walsh wasn't enamoured by any of the goals from the match.
"I don't think any of the goals were great goals," he said.
The most important thing, Walsh said, was playing a full match against top flight opposition.
He looked forward to what his players would gain with just two weeks to go until the season begins.
United blooded a couple of its younger troops across two grades of football, and they stood up well, according to Walsh.
Eli Wade and Jack Pilgrim were standouts on Saturday.
Walsh said United pleased him in reserve grade.
"In some ways, the reserve grade game was a more free-flowing game than the first grade one, even though they didn't get a win," Walsh said.
The Saints got up in that match, 2-1, over United.
A tough draw awaits United early in the 2015 season. The Green Bloods have a grand final replay against Wallis Lake in round one, followed by preliminary finalist Macleay Valley Rangers in round two.
Camden Haven is the team's round three opponent. United beat the Haven late in the season last year.
Walsh said the tone would be set quickly.
"Very early on you'll see the team to beat," he said.
