Seven goals in 55 appearances for York City mean Barnet striker Michael Gash is not remembered fondly by the Minstermen. But they will be sick of the sight of him after his rasping goal helped the Bees to a much-needed a 3-1 win at the Hive.
Signed from Ebbsfleet United for the princely sum of £55,000 in 2009, the 29-year-old spent two seasons at Bootham Crescent and only netted twice in his final 44 league outings following an encouraging start.
But Gash has found a new lease of life under Martin Allen at The Hive and now has six goals – which have all come in seven games – to his name this season.
Already crowned Player of the Month for September, Gash continued his hot streak by scoring two minutes after Michael Coulson’s sucker-punch leveller to help end Barnet’s run of three straight defeats.
John Akinde, dropped for the first time for a league game in his two seasons with the club, opened the scoring off the bench on the hour. But Coulson levelled briefly before Gash took over to restore Barnet's lead.
Debutant Josh Clarke, signed on loan from Brentford on Thursday, delivered the killer blow at the death.
Allen had promised changes in advance of the game and duly delivered five. The most high profile of which was dropping Akinde in favour of a front pair of Aaron McLean and Gash.
Sam Togwell made way for Tom Champion in midfield whilst at the back, new signing Clarke stepped into the side in place of Mauro Vilhete as Andy Yiadom returned to the right-hand side of midfield.
Two enforced changes saw the suspended Bira Dembele and loanee Max Crocombe – who had returned to Oxford United on Thursday – drop out the side. Michael Nelson and Jamie Stephens came in to plug those gaps.
There were only two recorded shots on target in a first half light on action, though Barnet would have felt satisfied with their showing after enjoying the better of the play.
Barnet were noticeably less direct and instead of looking for the quick ball forward to space Akinde wold normally occupy, they were more intricate and considered in their build-up play.
The Bees’ only presentable chance arrived when a McLean crossed was knocked down to Gash and he sat the ball up for Bondz N’Gala to hook wide with side of his foot from six yards.
York’s only on-target effort arrived just before half time, Michael Coulson failing to stretch Stephens.
Seven minutes into the second period Allen rolled the dice for the first time, introducing Akinde and debutant Justin Nwogu in place of McLean and Luke Gambin.
It took just eight minutes for that decision to pay dividends as Akinde scored for the first time since August 18.
From Stephens' goal kick, Gash rolled the ball into the path of the powerful number nine and he slotted beyond Flinders without a second thought to give Barnet the lead on the hour.
Bees keeper Stephens, making his first start since being sent off at Portsmouth last month, had not been truly tested by this stage but was alert enough to make a superb fingertip stop to push Coulson’s ferocious drive over in the 70th minute.
Ten minutes later disaster struck as the visitors drew level out of the blue.
Minstermen midfielder Coulson, who had been the only bright spot for the visitors, was afforded enough space to take aim and promptly rifled low past Stephens from 20 yards.
But parity was short-lived and just two minutes later Gash stuck the knife in against his former employers with a similarly impressive strike.
From a free-kick on the left of the penalty area the ball was laid off to the Bees’ top scorer by Togwell and Gash lashed perfectly into the far bottom corner to restore the hosts’ lead.
Barnet really ought to have snatched a third at the death but Akinde saw his effort brilliantly flicked over by the wrist of Flinders after he had darted through.
But Allen’s side were not to be denied and a matter of minutes later, Gash seized on a loose ball, found Akinde and he slipped the ball round the corner for debutant Clarke to tuck home a third when one-on-one with Flinders.
Now to sort out that away form at Hartlepool United on Tuesday.
Barnet: Stephens; Clarke, N'Gala, Nelson, Johnson; Yiadom (c), Weston (Togwell 77), Champion, Gambin (Nwogu 52); McLean (Akinde 52), Gash.
Subs: McKenzie-Lyle (GK), Hoyte, Muggleton, Stevens.
York City: Flinders; McCoy, Lowe, McCombe, Ilesanmi; Collins, Penn (Sinclair 9), Berrett; Straker, Oliver (Turner 79), Coulson.
Subs: Ingham (GK), Winfield, Tutonda, Godfrey, Carson.
Referee: Michael Bull.
Attendance: 1,767 (398 away supporters)
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