THE GNP SPORTS MANAGER SHAM ALAM REFLECTS ON HIS TEAM'S CUP FINAL VICTORY v ALCESTER TOWN...

Can you explain your thoughts during the first-half of the Final?

"The first half went as we had expected and planned for, that we would be on the front foot and Alcester would set up to be hard to beat and we would either need a period of high quality to beat them or a bit of luck. We needed to be brave on the ball and during periods of transition exploit them on the counter, but with all that said we still created the better chances in open play and on set-pieces." 

The game changed in your favour after the first goal, so how were you feeling for the remainder of the match?

"As soon as the first goal went in I always knew we would get the second; we are a hard team to stop when we gain real momentum and whilst it didn’t really happen, I would have expected Alcester to have a real go at us. We still managed to get that second goal and I felt when Hammond came on he changed the game." 

O’Grady worked that right flank so well in the second-half, so do you have any comments about him (back problem) and Hammond (ankle), or of course the unfortunate Adam Knight? 

"The build-up to the game was a nightmare and anything that could have gone wrong did: the players I had wanted to rest v Leamington had to play because we were only left with one sub. Josh did his back in three days before the Final and really shouldn’t have played, Hammond got smashed v Leamington and again shouldn’t even have been in the squad. Credit to both though, lots of ice, plus pain-killers and they have a management team who will always look to take a risk. It paid off too, with Josh getting an assist and Hammond making a real difference. 

It didn’t help that our main goalscorer did his hammy in the warm up with 45 minutes to go; I'm devastated for him but things happen for a reason and he will channel that frustration and be firing during pre-season for me!" 

A tough first-half for Stoute but when it mattered... Words about him? Compton netted the goal which effectively won the cup. You must have been pleased for him? 

"Nathan is Mr Reliable isn’t he? He’s so low maintenance and a dream player to manage, always will give 100%, will always put the team first and I’m happy he got the goal. He scored an important one for us during the Semi-Final also. 

Whilst typing this I do so with a smile on my face because Matty deserved that and whenever he puts a GNP shirt on, he puts his body on the line, the lads love him and that’s obvious with the celebrations at the end. There are a few bits me and him need to iron out in the summer but he should enjoy that moment for a long time because they don’t come along often!" 

Any words for Alcester?

"They have a top manager and I’ve enjoyed the battles with him and with a bit of luck we might continue that next season. I wish Danny and his boys good luck on Thursday and they need to keep believing and I’m sure they have a good chance of promotion. If they can add some real fire power up top in the summer I’m sure they will be dangerous." 

After the game! Can you sum up your feelings?

"I’m proud of the players and my coaches to be better than 15 other teams in the league for 10 months; to beat Bartestree, Boldmere, FC Stratford and Alcester, the 4 other best teams in this league, whilst winning the Cup is some feat.  We did it the hard way too! 

Any team can win or lose one game but to do the double at any level is memorable and when the boys stop playing football they'll never turn round and say: "I played at so and so level and I played 64 times for this club..." because they will only ever remember what they won and everybody only talks about winners and the GNP boys are just that: winners!

The players and coaches should enjoy this week and we celebrate together on Saturday with our presentation night; they all need a rest and should put their feet up but for me the hard work has already begun! 

Yours in football..."

SHAMIR ALAM, MANAGER, GNP SPORTS...