Finlay Barnes sparkles as five-star Scarborough Athletic hammer Bishop’s Stortford 5-0

Striker Aidan Rutledge celebrates his first-ever goal for Boro in the 5-0 win at home to Bishop's Stortford. Photo: Jack Steven Roberts Media

Brilliant Boro registered their biggest win for 13 months with a 5-0 thumping of Bishop’s Stortford to brighten up a cold and wet afternoon at the Flamingo Land Stadium on Saturday.

The win saw the hosts climb to ninth in the table, just a point outside the play-off places, with at least one game in hand over all the team’s above them, writes Steve Adamson.

A sickness bug sidelined Alex Wiles, with loan signing Aidan Rutledge making his first home start, and Harry Green back on the bench after his ankle injury.

Bishop’s went close in the fifth minute, when Giovanni McGregor curled a free-kick narrowly over, after Manny Adebowale was fouled by Alex Purver.

Kieran Weledji, left, and skipper Will Thornton, celebrate Weledji's goal in the win at home to Bishop's Stortford. Photo: Jack Steven Roberts Media

From then on, it was one-way traffic towards the visitors’ goal, as Boro dominated possession and carved out a succession of chances.

Lewis Maloney sent a pass forward to Luca Colville, who squared to Finlay Barnes, his shot pushed round the post by Jack Giddens, and from the resulting Maloney corner, Rutledge headed home at the near post to open the scoring on nine minutes.

Rutledge turned a defender, and passed to Kieran Weledji, who laid off to Barnes to tap home, but an offside flag spoiled his celebrations, then Purver and the on-fire Barnes combined to set up Rutledge, whose fierce strike was saved by the legs of keeper Giddens.