Following washouts of the first two weeks and trial games before that, both clubs were keen to get on the park and play some soccer.

In the end, the spoils were shared with first grade drawing 0-all and the reserves 1-all.

United's senior squad included only four players from last season and, even though they had two comfortable trial victories, new coach Greg Baldwin was keen to see how his team handled the 2007 grand finalists.

Despite the 0-all result, there was no shortage of action as the game produced sections where both sides dominated possession and field position - and, at other times, displaying end-to-end rapid football.

United started very strongly and put plenty of pressure on the Panthers for the opening 20 minutes.

However, the Panthers found their rhythm and came back into the game and were denied a goal when United's Nathan Attwells smothered a one-on-one opportunity from a counter-attack.

The second half, again, saw United with the early field position, with several runs and crosses from Tim Yule unable to be put away.

Shortly after, Yule was forced from the field and United's attack suffered greatly.

The Panthers lifted a cog and applied a lot of pressure down the right flank, only to be repeatedly denied, which included a couple more great saves from United's player of the match Attwells.

Although disappointed at not securing the three points, Baldwin was impressed with the character shown under pressure.

He indicated there was certainly room for improvement.

"It was a good effort for the side's real first hit-out of the year," Baldwin admitted.

"The defence of Alex Gillespie and work rate of Tony Raymond, Damian Cross and John Goodman was pleasing while mid-fielders Tom Adams and Matt Baldwin more than matched their experienced opponents."

The reserve grade encounter was also a chance for players to dust off the cob webs.

A host of new faces took the field for United but the game never reached any great heights with few real scoring chances being generated from either side.

United's Matthew Broderick threatened the Panthers' defence on the rare occasions he found himself free.

And, he finally put the ball in the net midway through the second half with a nice finish at pace from the edge of the box.

However, United thought that was enough and a lapse in defensive concentration allowed the Panthers a soft goal from a speculative long ball.

For United, Steve Lawrence had a strong game and was well-supported by Cody Boylon and Nathan Wade.

United has plenty to work on in both their attacking and defensive phases but showed glimpses of form that have seen them previous consecutive grand final winners.

With two mid-week catch up games against Old Bar Barbarians and Camden Haven Redbacks to fit in and a trip to Great Lakes next weekend, the teams' fitness will be fully tested over the next fortnight.