GNP SPORTS' MANAGER SHAMIR ALAM WRITES ABOUT HIS TEAM'S 1-2 VICTORY AT COVENTRY ALVIS...

A local derby... How did that affect the match, if at all?

"We expected Alvis to start quickly after their heavy defeat on Saturday and in some ways it was a typical derby. It lacked a lot of quality but the important thing was the 3 points we managed to leave with." 

Two goals for Rawlings but was Hendrie available? 

"Important, important goals by Tommy which now take

him to 6 for the season, so an excellent start but he was the M.O.M. alone for his work rate and putting himself about. Stu has a slight knock so we rested him today as a precaution but we missed his quality in the side..."

How was the team’s performance as a whole?

"We showed character and spirit and we were excellent during the last 20 minutes of the game, keeping the ball as well as we did with the pressure of possibly dropping two points with minutes to go. It was superb. The boys need a nice week off training and they're going to get that to pick themselves up after what’s been a demanding week." 

Any worries for you, concerning your team?

"We are short in terms of numbers due to the injuries occurring weekly and the boys just need a bit of help, so we are hoping to bring in a few new faces. It’s hard, as they have to be right for the club but I’m hoping it’s a busy few weeks off the pitch!" 

M.O.M? And why that choice?

"Tommy Rawlings... As I said before: for his work rate and his leading of the offensive line. The kid's on a different level at the moment and he knows I will always judge him on his work rate, plus his tactical approach to each game and with the added goals, he’s unplayable at the moment! However with that said, he should have had a hat-trick today, like he should have done a couple of weeks ago but so long as he continues to work hard, the goals will keep coming and he will get the hatty he owes me!"

What next for signings, training and the Vase match? 

"As I said before, I’m hoping to bring in at least two or three new faces. We are really looking forward to the FA Vase match at Boldmere St Michael's, the biggest game in the club's short history and we will be ready to give it our all against our two-leagues-higher opposition. The pressure is on them, so we will go there and be brave and try to play."

Yours in football...

Shamir Alam, Manager, GNP Sports...