New signing Rhys Hoenes was instrumental in all five of Royston Town’s goals as they began the 2015/16 season with a 5-1 thrashing of Cheshunt in the Herts Charity Cup first round.

Front man Hoenes was chopped down inside the penalty area twice in the opening stages, one resulting in a second yellow for Joe Kizzi, with player-assistant manager Chris Watters on hand to dispatch the penalties.

Sandwiched in between, the hosts did manage an equaliser, but their joy was short-lived as the Crows turned up the heat.

Hoenes, who arrived from Barton Rovers over the summer, then grabbed a goal his performance desserved, powerfully finishing to double their lead.

There was time for a fourth just before the break as Hoenes crossed for Watters to side step and lash home from close range.

The second half was rather more subdued as Town added to their bristling tally just once more.

Hoenes extended a boot to divert the ball over the on-rushing keeper and complete a five star performance.

With some new faces taking their competitive bow, Steve Castle sent out his new look team to play on the front foot, constantly closing down their opponents and regularly shifting fast-flowing play forward.

The scoring was opened after 15 minutes as a precise through-ball by Stuart Bridges found the run of Hoenes who prodded the ball wide of the tetchy keeper Glenn Williamson, who cynically hacked him down. Watters had no trouble making the most of the situation.

Cheshunt responded quickly and a missed Crows’ tackle saw the ball arrive on the edge of the box and the equaliser was confidently dispatched.

From then on, Royston were dominant and the central defensive partnership of Jack Bradshaw and skipper Liam McDevitt combined well throughout.

The visitors regained the lead on 27 minutes with a similar combination to the first goal.

Hoenes, going away from the goal, was tripped clumsily and once more the referee pointed to the spot.

This tine the keeper did get a hand on Watters’ penalty but the outcome remained the same.

To make Cheshunt’s task harder, Kizzi was banished to the dressing rooms following a previous more brutal attack on big Rob Mason minutes earlier.

The Crows turned the screw and the unplayable Hoenes made it three on 40 minutes, volleying home confidently.

The fourth goal came two minutes later as again Hoenes used his pace to pick out Watters, who coolly finished.

The second half saw no immediate changes and Royston were still positive in their approach.

The hour mark substitutes saw the energetic Ryan Ingrey and the impressive Daniel Brathwaite replaced by Lewis Donovan and Tyler Corlett.

On 75 minutes, the game was put to bed.

Scott Bridges, replacement for his brother Stuart 15 minutes prior, sent a bouncing pass through and Hoenes capped his extraordinary showing with a fine lob over the stretching goalkeeper. Crows were firmly on easy street in their first competitive outing of the new season.