Swindon men’s 1st made a triumphant return to the North Conference as they crushed Firebrands A 5-0 to indicate their intent for the coming season.

Thomas Lentschner had an early chance within 30 seconds of the game starting but his shot rebounded off the post.

Before too long, Swindon did find the back of the net through skipper Tom Goldsmith, finding space on the right side of the circle and burying his opportunity.

The first 20 minutes saw Swindon continue to dominate, with Chris Parsons influential, but the first half ended 1-0.

Within moments of the restart, the ball fell to Lentschner, who took no prisoners with his strike to make it 2-0.

Matt Kenyon continued to probe down the right and Lewis Dyer worked tirelessly in midfield, thwarting Firebrands attempts to get back into the game.

Despite going down to ten men following an untidy Thomas Gillingham challenge, Swindon looked comfortable with Tom Wickens at left back and man of the match Thomas Hunt holding firm at the back.

As the game wore on, Swindon turned the screw and extended their lead with a goal for Phil Scarisbrick.

Following a scramble, Scarisbrick flicked the ball into the back of the net on the reverse to put the game beyond the hosts. A through ball from Kenyon, shortly after, released Henry Cheney who walked the ball home for number four, before Lentschner and Luke Cejer combined for the latter to score Swindon’s fifth.

Superior fitness and desire to win proved the difference on this occasion as Swindon got off to a winning start.

Next week, Swindon visit table-topping Penarth, who put six beyond West Wilts without reply on the opening day of the new season.