Browne returns from skull fracture

David Browne wasted little time getting back into the goal-scoring action on his return from a long layoff following a head injury suffered against Tasman United on October 21 at Kiwitea St. He needed eight stitches in a head wound and was left with a concussion and fractures to his eye socket and forehead.

But against the same opposition at Trafalgar Park in Nelson yesterday he scored in the first four minutes to put his side well on the way to their eighthstraight victory to start the season. He scored again in the 61st minute as his side ran out comfortable 3-1 winners.

Eastern Suburbs moving into second courtesy of their 4-1 win over Hawke’s Bay United at Park Island.

Canterbury United continued their push for a top four place with a 1-0 win over Southern United courtesy of a Stephen Hoyle goal in the first half.

They remain one point behind fourth-placed Hamilton Wanderers, who pulled off a stunning comeback to beat Waitakere United 4-3 at Trusts Arena.

Waitakere were up 3-0 at halftime thanks in large part to two very good direct freekicks in the opening 21 minutes from Oliver Basset and Jake Butler.

Waitakere centre back Bill Robertson went off with a suspected broken arm at halftime, and it was all downhill for his side from there.

Bueno answered the Waitakere freekicks with a direct freekick of his own 10 minutes into the second half.

He pulled another back with a fine finish from a tight angle in the 73rd minute, before capping his hat-trick with a header three minutes later to setup a thrilling finish.

Tommy Semmy completed the comeback 10 minutes from time