Passiarello celebrates Wales call-up with a brace as Bristol Academy earn first win of the season
Passariello grabbed both goals – the first of struggling Bristol Academy's campaign – in the opening period to secure her side's first victory of the season. The striker scored her first after latching on to a well-placed through ball from Katie Daley before producing a sublime individual effort to grab her second goal.
"It was our first win of the season and one that was fully deserved," said manager Mark Sampson. "The attitude and work-rate shown by the players was first-class and Sharla's goals were both fantastic strikes."
Passariello is set to join Daley, Emma Jones, Michelle Green and Loren Dykes in the Welsh squad for their FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying matches at the end of the month. Lauren Wells has also been put on standby.
Wales play the Czech Republic on October 25 before clashing with Azerbaijan three days later. Bristol's Premier League matches with Nottingham Forest (originally due to be played on October 25) and Birmingham City (October 29) have been postponed due to these international call-ups.
Bristol Academy are back in action tonight, when they host Chelsea at Almondsbury's Oldlands Park (7.45pm). Sampson's side then have a home game with Arsenal on Sunday (2pm).
"It is going to be a fantastic week for us," Sampson said.
"They are tough games for us but the win at Watford has given us the confidence to go out and believe we can get something from the matches.
"We are hoping to get big crowds because it is a great opportunity for the local community to see us play two teams packed full of international stars."
Admission is £3 for adults and free for Under-16s.
Keynsham Town were on the reverse end of some late drama in their Southern Division clash at Colchester United.
The South Gloucestershire side had managed to restrict their opponents from Essex to a solitary goal – scored by Helen Bass on 58 minutes – thanks to the intervention of the crossbar coupled with some fine saves from Keynsham stopper Nikita Runnacles.
Brianna Oeser headed home a free-kick five minutes from time for what seemed certain to be the equaliser. However, Sinead Redford struck for Colchester with just a minute remaining to see the hosts move up to fifth place.
Oldland Abbotonians, meanwhile, secured their first victory of the season in South West Women's League Premier Division, beating Taunton Town 2-0 with goals from Sarah Clarkson and Lise Fletcher. Assistant manager Steve Lavis said: "We're over the moon. It is our first season in this league and the longer you go without a win the more the pressure builds.
"We are hoping this will give us the confidence to go on and get a few more points because we have a good run of winnable games after what has been a very difficult start."
Stoke Lane crashed out of the FA Cup after suffering a 8-3 defeat in their second preliminary qualifying round clash.
Bristol Ladies Union, meanwhile, took an early lead against Gloucester City but conceded three goals in quick succession during a mini-collapse and went on to lose 6-1.
In Division One East, Downend Flyers were condemned to a 1-0 defeat by a goal from Swindon Spitfires' Georgia Lane.
Nailsea United are still looking for their first victory of the season after almost surprising top-of-the-table Bishops Lydeard. Lydeard took an early lead before a brace from Michaela Davies put the girls in red ahead.
Davies scored her first with an unstoppable 30-yard free-kick before arrowing in another effort from distance to put Nailsea in front.
Lydeard equalised before half-time and there were no further goals in the second half.
Bitton thrashed Longlevens 8-0 in their Gloucestershire County League clash. Sharifa James (3), Becky Hurst (2), Becky Jones and Leanne Jones were all on target to add to an own goal.
Manager Steve Jones said: "From the high standards we have set, it was probably our worst performance of the season, but we scored some good goals and I was pleased with another clean sheet."
AEK Boco also enjoyed a convincing victory with a 9-1 demolition of Mitcheldean Ladies. Leanne Burge hit a first-half hat-trick before Jess Segesby and Jess Rudge-Hamblin weighed in with a brace apiece.
Goals from Georgia Bush and Sammi Hollis completed the rout.
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