BRAINTREE'S victory over Bourne was soured after sweeper Debbie Benfield broke her leg.

Benfield was tackled and fell awkwardly towards the end of their win over Bourne.

A brace from Katherine Abbie and a third from Teri Chiam had sealed a well-deserved victory for Braintree in their mid-table clash.

Braintree took the lead from a short corner when Emma Muir's strike rebounded into the path of Abbie, who slotted home.

Shortly before half-time, Chiam doubled Braintree's lead from another short corner with a strike from the edge of the D.

Bourne worked hard to get back into the game in the second half but the Braintree defence held firm and Dimps Pasfield was in impressive form.

Braintree added a third when Hayhow slipped the ball to Abbie, whose shot was sweetly struck over the advancing Bourne keeper.

Bourne took advantage of Braintree's lack of numbers with a consolation goal two minutes from time.