LIPHOOK UTD 2, ELM GROVE 0

LIPHOOK United can still boast a perfect record in the newly formed Surrey Elite Intermediate League.

This was their sixth straight win and the result was never really in doubt, with Elm Grove failing to force a serious save from Tim Howard in the home goal.

Liphook had fit-again Nathan Tapley and Dan Burn back in the squad (Tom Powers and Mark Richards were still out) and showed their intentions early on as good box-to-box running from Nick Cope set up an opening for striker Mark Pocock who fired wide.

This set the pattern for the first half. Pocock's movement caused the visitors all sorts of problems and he soon created an opening for Paul Marshall who missed when it seemed easier to score.

The football wasn't great and Pocock and Marshall were having an off-day in front of goal.

But a set-piece finally gave Liphook the breakthrough. Ryan Angear won a free-kick just inside the Elm Grove half and player-manager Kevin Adair delivered an inviting cross for centre-back Andy Luckhurst to head his side into a half-time lead.

Perhaps it was something to do with the half-time words of assistant-manager Tom Powers, but Liphook played with more intensity on the restart. Again, the front pair struggled to find the final touch and Pocock was guilty of missing a simple chance when he could have squared the ball to the waiting Marshall.

But the amount of chances created was a positive and the work-rate of the front two could not be faulted.

The vital second goal eventually came after Adair was fouled inside the Elm Grove half. Luckhurst took the free-kick and defensive partner Ricky Long this time provided the accurate header to make it 2-0.

Liphook finished well on top, with the influential Cope orchestrating most of their attacks.

Another fine result for Liphook.

Liphook: Howard, Angear, Long, Luckhurst, Tapley, McGrath, Adair, Cope (Burn), Harding (Borowiak), Marshall (Travis), Pocock.