GARY Green has his fingers crossed that his Bristol Academy players will return from international duty unscathed ahead of Sunday's FA Premier League clash at Watford.

The visitors will already be without a number of key players for the National Division clash with the Hornets.

Winger Gwen Harries has a hamstring injury, which is likely to keep her out for six weeks, full-back Marie O'Brien joined the casualty list after turning out for the reserve side last weekend and forward Stef Curtis is unavailable.

"Our Welsh contingent have been away for a midweek game in Finland, while Corinne Yorston has been with the England Under-23s, so I am just hoping they all come back OK," said Green.

"We are missing a few as it is and if there are any more injuries, we will be down to bare bones.

"It will be tough at Watford – they beat us 6-2 down there last season and have been going well again.

"They are two points above us at the moment, having played two games more, so it would be nice to leapfrog them if we can."

The Academy drew their last outing against Fulham 1-1 after Curtis gave them an early lead, only for Gemma Fraser to net an equaliser from 30 yards.

The Gas Girls did have a great chance to win the game in the second half, but Justine Lorton's penalty was saved 15 minutes from time.

Former Academy player Rachel Pitman – now on Arsenal's books – has been involved in the England Under-17s squad, who have made it through to the World Cup semi-finals in New Zealand.

They play North Korea today in a bid to book a place in the final against either Norway or the USA.

Bristolian Pitman came off the bench in extra-time as England beat Japan on penalties in the quarter-final after the score was deadlocked at 2-2.

Forest Green Rovers will play Cheltenham Town in the second round of the FA Women's Cup after booking their place with a 4-2 win at Frome Town.

Team Bath, who overcame Weston St Johns 2-0, will face Plymouth Argyle, who thumped Yeovil Town 8-2.

The enforced decision to use captain Leanne Ware and striker Faye Slade at centre-back made Stoke Lane Athletic much more solid than of late and they were unlucky to go down 2-0 at home to Larkhall Athletic in the SW Women's League Premier Division.

Stoke Lane gave as good as they got against the wind in the first half and were unfortunate to trail 1-0 at the break after goalkeeper Rosie Passaway had made several important stops.

The Bristol side dominated the second period, but Larkhall soaked up all the pressure and made the game safe from a late corner.

In Division One (North), Downend Flyers romped to a 12-0 win at depleted Swindon Town Reserves.

Katie Michael scored five, Debbie Stacey four, Anna Lambert bagged two and there was a debut goal for Emily Green, who came on from the bench.

In the Gloucestershire County Women's League, Kylie Dursley scored the only goal of the game as Yate Town overcame Cam Bulldogs to maintain their Division One challenge.

Bristol & West moved into mid-table after two late goals saw them fight back to beat Tetbury Town 2-1, Jo Edwards and Martha Harfoot scoring.

In Division Two, Bryony Harris hit five in AEK Boco's 13-2 mauling of strugglers Mitcheldean. Jess Johnson, Vicky Barlow and Jess Rudge-Hamlin bagged doubles with Penny Lyons and Poppy Coles also on target.

Boco manager Keith Harris said: "We played some great football and showed good discipline – the kind of performance I was looking for."

Bitton were held 0-0 by new leaders Cheltenham Town Reserves.