This time last year, a health scare meant that playing football seemed an eternity away for Paula Holguin.Fast forward 12 months and the Brentford Women forward has returned to the pitch in scintillating form, with five goals to her name through the early stages of this season.

She’ll play a key role come Sunday as the Bees welcome Richmond Park to Bedfont Sports Club for LSE Division One North action (3pm kick-off), following two goals against Dulwich Hamlet Reserves six days ago.

“I signed in June [2023] and then in July I went to a gym session and I was just walking on the treadmill and my heart rate elevated rapidly. I had to do a quick trip to A&E and it turns out I had a pulmonary embolism,” said Holguin.

“That was the beginning of it, I got put on blood thinning medication which meant I couldn’t take part in any contact sport at all.

“Then in the midst of it all they found a really big cyst in my right ovary, which had to be surgically removed. I had to wait all the way until November [for surgery].

“Once the surgery happened in November, I had to recover, so was unable to play football. To hear that was extremely tough and it was a very tough time, I’ve never had the game taken away from me like that.

“You power through. Brentford have been extremely supportive and I feel like I need to give back. Sunday definitely felt like that in a way.”

Holguin said her confidence is rising with each game she plays. Her continual development saw her rewarded with a place in the starting line-up on Wednesday night as Karleigh Osborne’s side cruised to a 6-2 win over Denham United.

“[I'm] slowly getting my confidence back and getting everything back in place. Obviously, it’s been tough having been told that I couldn’t play for a whole season. It was very tough physically and mentally,” explained Holguin.

“It’s kind of my way of giving back to the club, they’ve been very supportive this last year. Any other club I would assume would just release me, but not Brentford.

“The staff have been amazing, from Amy [Crook] to Roger [Crook] to Ollie [Cottis] and the coaches, Bea [Ostrowska]; everyone has been absolutely incredible this last year.

“I’m just happy to be back on the pitch, that’s something that was in question last year.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s clash, Holguin said the side are eyeing another win to continue their unbeaten start to the season.

Another victory would make it 11 on the trot this campaign for Osborne’s group and another step closer to promotion.

“I feel like everyone’s excited for Sunday, we’re on a winning streak right now and I don’t think anyone in the team wants that to end,” said Holguin.

“We’re just excited to get out there, the football we’re playing is really good and the bond this year is absolutely incredible.

“I think every week the confidence just goes up because we just prove to ourselves and prove to everyone that we’re not here to play around.

“We all have one main objective and we’re doing it right now, we’re performing, we’re showing them that we’re not here to play about. The fact that we’re consistently doing that is just great to see.”

Last time out

Brentford defeated Denham United 6-2 in league action at Bedfont on Wednesday night.

Two goals from each of Chloe Logie and Ashley Cheatley led the way, while captain Mollie Holmes scored her first of the season.

Prior to Denham, the Bees had to grind out a tough 2-0 win over Dulwich Hamlet Reserves.

Holguin was pivotal in the clash, coming on to score twice in the second half and secure all three points for Osborne’s side.

About Richmond Park

Richmond Park come into Sunday’s game winless, with a draw and seven losses to their name so far this season.

While victories are yet to come in the league this season, Richmond are fresh from a 3-1 Capital Cup success over Ruislip Rangers last time out.

Sophia Demetriou, Daniella Eden and Olivia Rickards each scored that afternoon, making it three goals, two and two respectively for the trio this season.

Media coverage

The club will have updates of the match against Richmond Park on social media, as well as a match report on the official website and our new official app.

Brentford Women B return to league action on Sunday as they travel to Buckhurst Hill Football Club to face Leyton Orient (2pm kick-off).Coming off a loss in the Greater London Premier Division last time out, the Bees will be eyeing a second league win come the weekend.Last time out

Yannawit Khantharat’s side fell to a 3-0 defeat at Comets in their last league outing.

The loss ended a two-game unbeaten run for the Bees, who drew 1-1 with Islington Borough before defeating Camden and Islington United 4-2.

Chelsie Berry starred in the Islington win, scoring a hat-trick to continue her strong start to the 2024/25 campaign.

About Leyton Orient

Leyton Orient go into Sunday’s clash ninth in the league table, with two losses from their two league games.

They have enjoyed good cup victories, however, in the FA Cup and Capital Cup.

The first of these was a dominant 11-3 win over Oakland Wolves in the FA Cup first round qualifying. They were knocked out in second round qualifying, however, following a 3-1 loss to Hutton.

In their most recent game, they enjoyed a 3-0 win over Welling United Youth Women in the Capital Cup. The O’s will face Camden and Islington United in the next round.