SHAMIR ALAM, MANAGER OF GNP SPORTS, REPORTS ON HIS TEAM'S 2-5 WIN AT BOLEHALL SWIFTS...

A good away win. Were you happy overall with the performance? 

"I'm happy with the result and there were some passages of play in and around the opposition box which I have been looking for since pre-season, so that was pleasing. We are still very much a work in progress, so it’s good to see that we are through to a semi-final, yet our players are still searching for that perfect performance. Nobody's getting carried away... One game at a time!" 

Two goals conceded would no doubt displease you, so are you still making decisions on defensive personnel?

"We're not happy we have conceded two goals as a team; it’s the entire team that needs to have a stronger mentality to work off the ball because we are making life difficult for ourselves and we don’t need to." 

Rawlings was on the scoresheet along with Hendrie again, so how reliant are you becoming on those two, would you say? 

"Both are playing well but they have only played together 5 times and in those 5 games their partnership has resulted in 20 goals between them. Averaging 4 goals a game is great but the players around them are also a reason why they are as effective in front of goal as they are. We are lucky to have both but they have to ensure that they work hard, work together and continue putting the team first!" 

Any comments about Bolehall ‘s performance? 

"They played some good stuff in the first twenty minutes and were quite clinical in the second-half. We still have two league games to go against them which no doubt will be tough." 

Your man of the match on Saturday? And what made you choose that guy?

"Brennan King... A perfect example to those currently unable to get into the side. Bren had to wait 2 weeks before he could be signed on, another 3 games before he could get a full 90 minutes and he took his chance. He was hardworking in the middle, he covered two players' work; I have challenged him to get on the ball and look to provide the front players with those penetrative passes and he did that well and to top it off he got a well deserved goal. 

Worthy of a mention also is Jason Evans, he’s played the most minutes out of any player for us this season because he’s reliable, he works his socks off which is so important to us and his forward play is getting better and better. Jason, with a few goals under his belt & better tactical awareness in regards of when to attack and when to rest, is really going to be difficult to leave out of the side." 

Next up for GNP?

"Tough home game v Knowle in the second round of the Les James cup. I want the players to take the confidence from Saturday's cup victory into next week and ensure we reach our second quarter-final this season. We have to fight and attack the 3 remaining cup competitions and the league!" 

Yours in football...

Shamir Alam, manager, GNP Sports...