SECRETARY Parminder Garcha hopes Indian Gymkhana's county cup win will pave the way for more league success next season.

Vinay Sharma's late winner gave the Premier Division side a 1-0 win in their all-Hounslow Middlesex FA Intermediate Cup Final against Division One (West) outfit Chiswick at Rayners Lane last Wednesday.

It has now been five years since Gymkhana won the Middlesex County League at the first attempt after transferring over from the London Commercial League, and they have not challenged since.

Sharma said: “It's a first piece of silverware in five years, so it's been a long time coming, and we are delighted to add our name to such an historic trophy.

“We may not have challenged for the league since winning it, but we're always in the top four or five, a bit like Spurs, and we're hoping to challenge more next season.

“We're hoping the county cup win will act as a stimulus, giving the players a kick up the backside and perhaps attracting some new blood too.

“All credit to Chiswick, who put up a fight and didn't take it lying down. They played well and made us work for it in a tough game.”

The winner, eight minutes from time, was harsh on Chiswick keeper Gavin McAvoy, who came out to meet a bouncing back pass from skipper Russell Webb, which bobbled past him, leaving Sharma with a tap in.

Chiswick had earlier seen a goal for Mahir Gaas contentiously disallowed for offside, while Josh Baines was named man of the match.

Manager John Andrews said: “We played really well, and to hold a Premier Division side for that long before going down to one goal which came from a mistake was very impressive.

“We're going to have a look at things over the summer, perhaps retaining seven or eight players and bringing in eight or nine, as we want to make a bid for promotion next season.

“We've been hit by players not being available too often this season, but we're going to take it seriously next time. We've played eight Premier Division sides in cups over the past few years and beaten eight of them.”