Mingle injury sours Braintree win (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Mingle injury sours Braintree win

9:30am Monday 7th September 2009 in Sport

Braintree Town moved to within a point of leaders Newport County in Blue Square South after winning 2-1 at Weston-super-Mare.

But their victory was soured by a serious facial injury suffered by midfielder Jacob Mingle.

Mingle suffered a double fractured jaw following a brave header towards goal in the opening 15 minutes of the match.

He was taken to hospital and was due to undergo an operation yesterday.

Braintree expect him to make a full recovery but is set to be out for a number of weeks.

The club have organised a collection for Mingle, which will take place at their home game against Worcester City this Saturday.

George Purcell scored twice in Braintree's victory, which took them up to fourth in the table.

Brad Quinton saw an effort sail just wide and then set up Purcell whose dipping effort dropped inches over, as Braintree pressed.

Mingle was then forced off with his injury and the hosts capitalised by earning a penalty for handball.

However, goalkeeper Nick Morgan saved the resultant spot-kick to keep the scores level.

It was only a brief reprieve, though.

Darren Mullings forced the ball home, after Braintree had failed to clear a corner.

But Robbie Garvey's side were back on level terms before half-time through Purcell, who fired into the roof of the net from a difficult angle.

The contest might have gone either way in the second half.

Mark Jones went close with a long-range effort while just after the hour mark, Quinton somehow side-footed wide in front of goal after being set up by Sean Marks' header.

Marvin Brown went close for Weston-super-Mare and Mark McGregor's header came back off the woodwork.

Morgan then saved from McGregor before Braintree scored their winner with nine minutes to go.

Marks helped on Morgan's clearance and Purcell controlled before firing home, to secure in-form Braintree another three points.

For all the latest Braintree Town news, see Wednesday's Braintree and Witham Times.