Published at 11:47, Thursday, 21 February 2013

DANNY M Rowe’s ‘fantastic’ form can play a big part in helping Barrow AFC survive.

WOKING BACK TO HAPPINESS Danny Rowe sends Barrow on their way to victory on Tuesday night HARRY ATKINSON REF: 50044736B000

That is the view of Bluebirds assistant manager Ashley Hoskin, who has been very impressed with the former Stockport County winger’s lively displays in AFC’s last two home games.

Rowe sent Barrow on their way to a crucial victory over Woking on Tuesday with an excellent first-half finish, before a free-kick from his namesake – striker Danny L Rowe – put the seal on a 2-0 win.

And although he ended up on the losing side in AFC’s cruel last-gasp defeat to Nuneaton on Saturday, Rowe put in a man-of-the-match display on the left.

Hoskin believes Rowe could be finally realising his potential in Barrow colours, after his progress was halted by a broken toe before Christmas. Hoskin, himself a former Holker Street winger, also praised fellow wideman Paul Rutherford for his display in the Blue Square Bet Premier victory over the Surrey side.

And he said of Rowe’s contribution in Barrow’s last two games, “It’s been absolutely fantastic.

“I remember Danny having a great game in one of the first matches he started and then he broke his little toe.

“But on Tuesday against Woking, I think he showed the sort of form that we expected him to show before he got his injury.

“He’s been absolutely magnificent, he gives you natural width, and to be fair to him, he puts in the other side of it, the hard work, which is great news.”

Hoskin praised Barrow’s application against Woking and singled out veteran centre-half Efe Sodje for being a fine example for other footballers to follow.

“Sodje coming in just helps the back four because he talks to, and organises people,” added Hoskin.

“For a lad who is aged 40, it’s an absolute credit to him that he has come up to Barrow to play football and he’s a lesson for everyone in football.

“He could sit at a League One side in Bury and pick up decent money, but he comes to play football and get 90 minutes under his belt at Barrow.”

Hoskin also paid tribute to the Barrow AFC board, after director Tony Keen gave his full backing to boss Dave Bayliss before the Nuneaton clash.

“After Saturday’s game Dave and myself sat in the dressing room with the lads and we looked at each other and thought ‘where can we go from here?’,” said Hoskin.

“But I have never quit anything and the board have been absolutely magnificent with us.

“The board have taken some stick but I can honestly say that they have backed us all the way with the signings we’ve brought in.

“They have probably gone over-budget with the signings they’ve got but that’s just shows their attitude towards wanting this club to be successful.”

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