New player-coach Kwan Browne struck twice as Hampstead & Westminster cruised to a 4-1 home win over newcomers Loughborough Students at the Paddington Recreation Ground on Sunday and moved up to third place in the men’s Premier Division.

Browne scored the opening two goals for his side, finishing coolly after a run from the 25-yard line and then converting a penalty stroke when Stuart Loughrey’s close-range effort hit a defender’s body on the line.

New signing Sam French opened his account for the club on the stroke of half-time, pouncing on the rebound when Will Calnan’s effort was saved – and Mikie Watt then beat two defenders before lobbing the keeper from a narrow angle shortly after the interval, before Loughborough scored a consolation goal.

Meanwhile, Hampstead Ladies also secured a home win at the weekend, banking their first victory of the season at the third attempt after beating St Albans 2-1.

Jasmine Clark and new recruit Michelle Borren both struck inside the opening 25 minutes to give H&W a healthy lead.

St Albans halved the deficit just before the break – having already failed to convert a penalty stroke – but there were no further goals and Hampstead secured all three points, leaving them sixth in the Conference East table.