GNP SPORTS' MANAGER SHAMIR ALAM WRITES ABOUT HIS TEAM'S 1-3 LOSS TO SHEPSHED DYNAMO...

Shepshed is a Premier Division team, so did Dynamo impress?

"They are a Premier Division side for a reason, they have a history behind them and they are well established. The two goals conceded by us after we went 1–0 ahead were due to our own downfall and fair play to Dynamo for taking their chances but we made it easy for them. Everyone knows you are at your most vulnerable when you score but we still ended up conceding. I saw Dynamo's stats of 65+%  possession and that was accurate but it was possession without any danger, so I was impressed by them for being clinical and keeping the ball well inside their own half." 

How did your lads tackle the tie?

"We wanted to have a real go and we started well, we should have been 2-0 up inside 7 minutes when it was harder to miss than score but we got the lead with some fantastic work-rate and endeavour shown by Lewis Marston and his pressing got its just reward with his first goal of the season." 

You were still in the tie with moments remaining, so would you say you deserved more?

"I think the result was fair; of course we are a good team based on last year and how we have started this year. To beat higher league opposition you have to be faultless and you can’t concede 3 goals at home and also miss the chances we did and deserve to beat a team two leagues higher than you." 

Who impressed in a GNP shirt and who was your M.O.M? 

"All the boys gave everything. I didn’t think anyone left the pitch without grafting, so I'm happy with that. Players worthy of a mention? Well, again Bryson worked tirelessly and I’ve set him a few targets if he is to continue in his new position and you can see he is desperate to try and work on these, so I was pleased with him. Marston's performances are really peaking at the moment and if there was ever a goal based on 'what you put into this game you get out of it' then it was his last night. However, Jin deserves his M.O.M. award... He did well in his 1 v 1 duels, his choices of pass were important and turned defence into attack very quickly; an all-round good performance by him despite the poor result."

Thoughts now turn to the Hampton game on Saturday. How would you preview that one? 

"I'm looking forward to the game and it's set to be a tough tough weekend. I would encourage my players not to look at Hampton's league position, for it means nothing in September. They lost their manager quite late on in pre-season but I am yet to see them lose heavily at home in the league. We have to expect a Hampton side which will view this as a free hit. I can’t see them sitting and getting all their players behind the ball, so I'm sure they will have a right go at us..." 

Yours in football...

Shamir Alam, Manager, GNP Sports...