United have started the Coastal Premier League season on the right note after two wins and a draw yielded seven points from three trips to Coffs Harbour.

After three impressive results on the road there is always the risk of a letdown - something coach Nathan Wade will hope to guard against as his side returns to the home confines of Dixie Park.

"There could be a fall with the effort levels so I've got to make sure they're up high again this week," he said.

"Because we are playing MVR I'm hopeful the boys are switched on from the outset. Rangers are the side I enjoy playing against because if you do get the three points you've thoroughly deserved it."

The match will be the first between the two sides since last season's CPL southern conference grand final although Wade hasn't read too much into that result.

"They're physical, have fast forwards and last year they beat us twice before the grand final so we won't take them lightly at all," he said.

Rangers' 7-0 hammering of Taree Wildcats last Sunday was the first of three matches in six days although coach Simon Tamblyn feels his side won't hit their straps for a few weeks.

"I was happy with the way we played," he said.

"We're coming together and won't be at our best until halfway through the season. We've got a lot of building and fitting people into positions to do."

Macleay Valley continued their freewheeling ways with an 8-2 victory over Kempsey Saints on Wednesday night.

The Rangers coach felt playing three games inside a week was not ideal although it was likely to be how the season would play out.

"I think it's one of those years where you play games where you get a chance otherwise those games will bank up at the end of the year," he said.

United are likely to be the toughest challenge for any team in the southern part of the competition and the challenge for Rangers will be to replicate their ruthless performance from Omaru Park.

"I liked that we kept the intensity up all game because it's very easy to drop off after 15 minutes," Tamblyn said.

"When you're up 3-0 at halftime it's easy to take the foot off and not score another four in the second half.

"Our formation was coming together; it was not perfect but it's getting better."

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