GASH IS NO FLASH IN THE PAN!
Sports boss plots fall of Harriers
MICHAEL GASH was part of the Kidderminster Harriers side that knocked hometown Peterborough United out of the FA Cup – now the Peterborough Sports joint-boss is hoping to reverse the trick in the Isuzu FA Trophy.
National League North Sports host the Step 1 Harriers on Saturday with a place in the competition’s last eight at stake.
Gash, player-manager alongside Luke Steele, is a familiar face to the travelling faithful having initially joined on loan in 2013 as Steve Burr’s side battled with Mansfield Town for the Conference Premier title.
Despite racking up 93 points, they missed out on top spot by two points before ultimately falling in the play-offs.
The next season there was more success as they dumped Posh out of the FA Cup to set up a trip to Sunderland – and Gash, 37, recalls his time there fondly.
“I’ve got lots of fond memories from there and, obviously, the FA Cup run was brilliant,” he said. “Scoring a couple of goals against Newport and then getting Peterborough United, my hometown club.
“We drew at Aggborough and then came to London Road, winning, scoring and contributing to it is one of my fondest memories in football. In front of family and friends – in the home and away ends – was brilliant. The reward was a trip to Sunderland which was a great day out.
“When people say are there any regrets in football, it’s just not scoring that day when I had a good chance. We only lost 1-0 and made a good account of ourselves. But it was a great day.
“I made some great friends too. Joe Lolley signed and went on to do his thing, I still speak to Kyle Storer who was captain there and I have huge respect for Steve Burr who took me there.”
Former Cambridge, Barnet and King’s LynnTown striker Gash made the transition into management with Steele last season when Jimmy Dean left Sports for Scunthorpe United.
The pair guided the Turbines to safety and more success has followed this season with a club record equalling Trophy run that includes an upset of Dagenham & Redbridge.
“When the Dagenham fixture was pulled out you’re thinking, ‘We will have to be on it’. And everybody was. It wasn’t just the result – we won on penalties – but the performance was very high level. Ability wise, football wise, as well as the hard work and desire from the lads. It was a brilliant day.
Banana skin
“We went from playing a team from the league above to playing against a team below and a potential banana skin. We had it in the FA Cup where we lost to a level below so we didn’t take it for granted. “We did our homework. Horsham played well, were expansive and tried to catch us but, once we settled down, we controlled the game more and our captain Mark Jones got a fully deserved hat-trick. It was a very professional performance. Obviously you have to have the results to get into the last 16 but it’s been pleasing to have the performances to go with those as well.”
This week the club announced the signing of Rory McAuley on a deal until the end of the season.
Gash hopes they can help the defender’s rehabilitation after a difficult period in his life which resulted in a jail sentence for drug offences a few years after the tragic murder of his sister Kerry.
“I know Rory well – we played together at Cambridge and King’s Lynn,” Gash said. “A major, horrific thing happened to him and his family. With that he made a few wrong choices and got too deep in stuff he shouldn’t have done.
“He’s paid for it now, he’s taken his punishment. He’s got his girlfriend and kids, he’s got a job and he now wants to just concentrate on life and getting back into football. If we can help him with that, then perfect.”