New Wingate & Finchley manager Keith Rowland picked up his first win in spectacular fashion as the Blues thrashed Burgess Hill Town 5-1 on Saturday.

Victory lifts Wingate up to 11th place in the Isthmian Premier Division and is the club’s first since they beat Staines Town 2-1 on December 19.

It took just eight minutes for the floodgates to open as Summers Lane. Midfielder Tommy Tejan-Sie picked up a loose ball and let fly, the ball arrowing into the top corner from 25 yards.

Just five minutes passed before the Blues doubled up. This time Billy Healey was the man on target, stroking home a re-taken penalty after handball against the Hillians.

Wingate & Finchley were 3-0 up after 31 minutes as new-boy Alex Addai crossed from the right for Rob Laney to convert from six yards out.

It took seven second-half minutes for Wingate to run in their fourth.

Healey put Burgess Hill centre-back Toby Pointing under pressure, won the ball and tucked beyond keeper Josh James.

Addai then turned scorer after 63 minutes as the Blues piled on more misery for the Sussex side.

He crossed from the flank, with Laney and Healey his targets, but the ball instead looped into the top corner of the net.

To their credit the visitors got one back in stoppage time as Will Miles flicked home from a set piece.

Wingate & Finchley travel to divisional rivals Enfield Town in the Isthmian League Cup quarter-finals tonight before visiting Leiston on Saturday.