United secured their third win of pre-season with a convincing 4-2 victory over Darlington FC on Tuesday evening at Blackwell Meadows.
Four first-half goals from Harvey Bunker, Miguel Azeez, Regan Linney and Callum Whelan fired Rob Elliot's side to victory over Enterprise National League North side, Darlington FC.
He said: "It was a really good first-half, especially. We looked really threatening, scored a lot of goals and could definitely have scored more.
"The first 45 [minutes] was exactly what I wanted to see from the team in terms of all the concepts, the energy, the decisions on when to play, the combinations and the pressing.
"I was really pleased. I think they [Darlington] had a shot from distance that took a deflection and a couple of corners, but that was pretty much it."
Although disappointed to concede twice, United's new Head Coach felt there were positives to take from those moments.
"It's a good lesson to learn. If you switch off or give teams a little sniff, they'll score. You never want to concede, but it gives us things to work on.
"The second-half always changes with the number of substitutions and the Academy lads coming on, but I asked them to win the half and show us the things we've been working on. I thought they did that really well."
The forty-year-old was impressed with the squad's grasp of new concepts and patterns of play, despite Elliot's reign only being in its infancy.
"What pleased me most was how clean everything looked.
"We're starting to see the patterns and ideas we've been working on. It's not going to be perfect after three weeks of pre-season, but the lads are really grasping it.
"You don't just pick a system and expect players to fit into it. You have to adapt it to the players you've got and I thought we saw that tonight."
United's Head Coach was quick to praise several standout performances in the victory at Blackwell Meadows.
"Miggy (Miguel Azeez) and Whelo (Callum Whelan) in the [number] eights caused carnage. Their forward runs were really difficult to deal with.
"Georgie [Kelly] didn't get a goal, but his link-up play and the way he occupied defenders was excellent, while Regan [Linney] alongside him gave us a different dimension. David [Ajiboye] gave us good width as well."
The Cumbrians lined up with Jack Ellis, Harvey Bunker and Ryan Galvin as part of a back three and Elliot was quick to praise the new-look backline.
"I thought the back lads were excellent. They squeezed the pitch, stayed aggressive, held a high line and backed themselves to defend.
"Harvey [Bunker] has been exceptional since he came in.
"He's quiet off the pitch but communicates brilliantly during games. He understands the game really well and he showed tonight that he can play in different positions.
"He stepped into midfield areas when we needed him to, played some brilliant passes, got his goal and organised everyone around him.
"He's someone who's going to be really important for us."
Greenwich-born Elliot sees unity as a key element of the squad, and something that will help as the season progresses.
"They're all settling in really well. The lads who were already here have helped the new boys and I think you can see there's a real togetherness building.
"They're working hard for each other and taking on the concepts we're asking of them."
Early in his tenure, Elliot has utilised Cameron Harper in midfield and Regan Linney more centrally.
"Cammy (Cameron Harper) is a really technical footballer. He sees the game well, kept things simple when he needed to and knew when to play forward.
"Regan has just got a knack for finding space, scoring goals and creating goals. His relationship with Georgie [Kelly] has worked really well so far and him and David [Ajiboye] rotated nicely throughout the game."
Several Academy players were called upon during the second-half of Tuesday evening's game, and United's Head Coach was glowing about the set-up at the club.
"They were brilliant [the Academy lads].
"It's a big step up for them, but I thought they competed really well. Credit has to go to Birchy [Mark Birch] and Dev [Jamie Devitt] because the Academy players are all comfortable on the ball, they're aggressive and they want to compete.
"They'll make mistakes because they're young, but what I love is their intensity and their mindset."
"I'm really proud of what the Academy is producing. My responsibility is to make sure we look within before we look outside.
"Jonah [Lowes] has been superb throughout pre-season, and he'll definitely be part of the first team squad.
"When you add players like Hayden Atkinson, Jack Ellis and Gabe [Breeze], it's a real positive for the football club that we've got so much talent coming through [the Academy]."
The clash also marked Elliot's first time in the dugout in front of fans.
"Everyone has been brilliant. I'm still recovering from the Family Fun Day because that was incredible.
"It was great to see everyone again tonight and hopefully they [the fans] saw a glimpse of how we want to play.
"All I can say is thank you. They've made all of us feel so welcome."
United hosted a Family Fun Day at Brunton Park on Saturday with countless fans coming down to meet the players and staff, as well as take part in activities. The Blues' Head Coach spoke on the impact that the community can have on the club ahead of the season.
"We're a community club and we need everybody together. It's a long season and we're going to need that togetherness. The welcome we've received has been fantastic and we're really enjoying being here."
"We'll win games and we'll lose games, but what's behind that is just as important.
"We want supporters to come to Brunton Park and watch a group of players they can get behind because they know they'll give absolutely everything.
"If we can build that culture and get everyone pulling in the same direction, this football club becomes a real force."
