Three first half goals – one an excellent long range effort from Kris Newby – put Boro firmly in control of this game. Two further goals after the break, including an audacious long range effort from Camilo Restrepo, gave Boro their first nap hand in a league game since October 2019, when Histon were beaten 5-1.

Jesse Olukolu had already had a shot saved by Alfie Marigliani in the Stanway goal, having been picked out by Jake Gordon, when Boro went ahead through Charlie Morris, who converted at the near post from Olukolu’s low cross after 8 minutes.

Stanway’s former Boro player Ernest Okoh carved out an opportunity for himself but saw his low shot comfortably saved by Jake Anderson, while at the other end, a good run from Boro’s debut making Lewis Smith ended with the former Tilbury player shooting narrowly wide.

Stanway defender Adrian Cant went into the book for a foul on Olukolu, who was causing the visitors’ defence all sorts of problems, but Dylan Logan showed that they weren’t going to let Boro have it all their own way when he created space for himself, but could only shoot into the side netting.

Jake Gordon twice went close, shooting just wide after 25 minutes, and three minutes later, curling a free-kick narrowly wide of Marigliani’s left hand post, but he turned provider after 34 minutes. George Allen’s strong defensive header found Gordon, who turned the ball inside to Jacob Wiggins, who in turn laid the ball off to Kris Newby, and he fired an unstoppable low drive past the Stanway keeper.

It was three after 38 minutes, and again Gordon was involved, doing good work on the right to set up Morris, who netted his tenth goal of the season at the second attempt.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first. Danny Hurford’s excellent through ball on 48 minutes found Olukolu, who was only denied by a last ditch challenge from a Stanway defender, and then Gordon flicked on to Morris who appeared to be impeded before being dispossessed.

Stanway’s Logan shot wide from long range, but Boro then went close went Emmanuel Robe – on for Morris – shot across the face of goal after bursting into the penalty area.

George Cox picked up a booking for a foul and from the free-kick, Stanway’s effort cleared the cross bar, and they went closer yet after 66 minutes when Logan’s shot had to be pushed over by Anderson after Boro had made a hash of clearing their lines.

Stanway hit the post after Kris Newby’s ambitious cross field pass was intercepted, but Newby then twice went close, shooting narrowly wide after a free-kick had been partially cleared to him, and minutes later, shooting just over after bursting forward to intercept possession.

Boro deservedly made it four after 78 minutes when Camilo Restrepo saw the Stanway keeper off his line and calmly lofted the ball over him from just inside the Rovers half, a spectacular way in which to score his first Romford goal.

Seven minutes from the end, Emmanuel Robe controlled one of the many excellent cross-field passes that Boro had executed, burst into the box, and was brought down. Kris Newby comfortably converted the penalty for Boro’s fifth.

Stanway got their reward for the hard work and endeavour they had shown all night when Joel Older cut in from the left and curled a well placed shot over Anderson two minutes before the end of the ninety.

An excellent performance from Romford in a thoroughly entertaining game, and a win that lifts Boro into sixth, four points behind leaders Little Oakley, who have played two games more.

Romford: Jake Anderson, Kris Newby, Danny Hurford, George Cox (Camilo Restrepo, 68m), Scott Doe, George Allen, Jesse Olukolu (Alex Balisani, 55m), Jacob Wiggins, Jake Gordon (Toby Barlow, 88m), Lewis Smith, Charlie Morris (Emmanuel Robe, 58m). Unused sub: Bleron Ademi