Barnet forward Michael Gash has been named the Sky Bet League 2 Player of the Month for September.
September was the month in which Gash rediscovered the goalscoring prowess of his non-league days.
Four in five games were the result of good positioning allied to the physical presence he brings as leader of the attacking line.
Barnet manager Martin Allen said: “Winning this award is testament to Michael’s character, his personality, and all the hard work that he has put in on the training pitch and away from it.
“His wife also deserves a lot of credit because he has moved down here, stayed with family, and been away from his wife and two children.
“So the dedication and commitment that he has shown to the football club has been absolutely first class.
“I couldn’t have wished for an award to go to a more humble, hard-working, dedicated man. He thoroughly deserves the award and I’m absolutely delighted for him.
“He’s very popular with all the players. It’s great that he’s been recognised with this award, and it’s great for the football club.”
Gash said: ““I’m obviously very happy to pick up the award. It’s a great honour for me and my family.
“It’s fantastic to pick up this award in my first Football League season, and after just two months. But it’s not just me. It’s the whole team, the staff, and everyone behind the scenes who have contributed to this award.
“Without them, I’m not going to not going to be on the pitch scoring goals. It’s an individual award, but it’s also about the whole team.”
Sky Sports’ Football League pundit Don Goodman said: “Gash’s goals were so important for The Bees in a month where he scored the winner against Stevenage and secured victory against Dagenham and Redbridge.
“He is leading the line superbly at present and Martin Allen will be relying on his goals for the rest of the season as they look to work their way up the table.”
Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery said: “Many expected John Akinde to be Barnet’s top scorer at the start of the season, but a hot streak from Michael Gash has seen him leapfrog his strike partner as Barnet’s main scoring threat.
“Gash has reached double figures domestically before but never as a Football League player. He’s in good shape to achieve that feat this season after a hot start to his campaign.
“Gash was 50/1 to be the top goalscorer in League 2 before a ball was kicked, but his odds have halved after his four-goal month and he is now towards the front of the market at 25/1.”
Michael Gash – Barnet
Michael Gash – Sky Bet Championship Top Scorer – 25/1
The Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month Award went to Jordan Rhodes of Blackburn Rovers.
In Sky Bet League 1, Rochdale midfielder Peter Vincenti was named Player of the Month.
The judging panel for the Sky Bet Player of the Month comprises Sky Sports Football League expert Don Goodman; Football League Head of Communications John Nagle; League Managers Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery.
