Archer on target as GSA land cup

Archer's double alongside a penalty from skipper Dav Boora and a late Joseph Noel strike clinched a 4-2 victory over league rivals Lapal FC.

GSA landed their first domestic success in an impressive debut season, which has also seen boss Gagan Singh's side perform well in Division Four.

But the Smethwick Park outfit have enjoyed making tough work of this season's competition, coming from behind in all four rounds – including the final, which was held at Halesowen Town FC's The Grove stadium.

Singh's side entered the competition, which caters for Division Four and sides from the division above, at the round of 16 stage.

They came from behind against fellow Division Four side White Swan in the round of 16, edging out 2-1 winners.

The quarter-finals paired GSA with another league rival, Forest Falcons – who were powerless to halt the charge as GSA made the final four with a 3-2 victory.

The semi-final draw saw Singh's charges take on Division Three outfit Rowley Village.

The divisional status proved to be a walk in the park for Singh's men as they eased into the final 5-1 winners thanks to Jordi Sall's brace and goals from Sukhy Dhillon, Deepak Gill and Boora.

"We like making it hard work for ourselves and only seem to play after falling behind," admitted the boss. "We've come from behind in every stage of the competition this season. But in the final I think we were deserved winners. We were the better team."

Lapal had taken the lead with their first foray into the GSA half through Jamie Endres, but a piece of individual brilliance from former Tividale forward Archer saw him beat two defenders with a step-over and fire into the top corner.

Archer profited from slack defending from a corner to bundle a close-range header over the line to make it 2-1 at the break.

Winger Noel's silky footwork earned GSA a penalty 15 minutes into the second-half, which captain Boora slotted in emphatically.

Their good work was undone as Lapal pulled one back through Ashley Drake.

With Lapal throwing caution to the wind, including sending their keeper forward, GSA clinched the trophy as Noel took advantage of the empty net by finishing well from 40 yards.