04/10/2026
Sentinel Cup First Round
Sudbury v Charlie Bassetts
Sudbury lined up in what looked to be a 4-3-3 formation, while Charlie Bassetts, missing several key players, opted for the tried-and-tested 4-4-2.
The opening exchanges were scrappy, with the home side looking to use a long diagonal ball towards their speedy left winger. This was dealt with very well by Bassetts right-back P. Dowling, although midway through the first half he somehow picked up his first-ever booking for thinking he was Michael Jordan!
Bassetts were looking to dominate the middle of the park early on, putting together some good passages of play, particularly between the Povey brothers.
The breakthrough came midway through the first half when a low-driven corner from Lewis Heath was met by Clint Walker, who finished to put Bassetts 1-0 ahead.
From there, the game became scrappy again, but Sudbury began to gain more control in midfield as Bassetts' neat football from the opening stages started to turn into more of a route-one approach.
George Kay then produced an excellent double save to keep Sudbury at bay. Eventually, though, the home side found an equaliser. A long forward ball was flicked on by the right winger, putting the lone Sudbury striker Jamie Lawrence through on goal, and he calmly finished to the goalkeeper's right to make it 1-1 at half-time.
The second half started brightly, with both teams having opportunities to take the lead early on. Bassetts switched to more of a 4-5-1, with Ollie Harvey dropping deeper from the front line to have a greater influence on the game.
The change worked, as Bassetts began creating numerous chances. Jack Kay and Lewis Heath were causing problems going forward, while even left-back Karl Leese was getting involved in the attacks.
Sudbury continued to make a real fight of it, however, and remained a constant threat going forward.
Eventually, the Bassetts pressure paid off. A neat move down the right ended with Lewis Heath finishing superbly from a tight angle into the far corner to make it 2-1. Karl Leese was screaming for the cut-back, so it was probably a good job Lewis decided to finish!
Sudbury weren't out of the contest and began throwing bodies forward in search of another equaliser. They did find the net, but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside.
As Sudbury continued to push forward, Bassetts looked dangerous on the counter-attack and created several chances of their own. Credit to Sudbury, they held firm and continued to push for an equaliser.
However, with just a few minutes remaining, another Bassetts counter-attack saw Lewis Heath grab his second of the game to make it 3-1.
A well-contested cup tie between two sides who gave everything, but it was Charlie Bassetts who progressed to the next round with a hard-earned 3-1 victory.
George Kay, Paul Dowling, Karl Leese, Clint Walker, Harry Darby, Ethan Pointon, Jack Kay, Harry Povey, Max Povey, Lewis Heath, Ollie Harvey.
Subs used- Ben Harris, Frankie Lymer
Man of match voted by opposition- Jack Kay.
Special mention to assistants Kevin Dowling and Peter Heath who took on managerial duties today and well and truly delivered.
Many Thanks to all our sponsors for their phenomenal support
Charlie Bassetts in Dilhorne
DanHeat ltd
AestheticallyU, Advanced Aesthetics, Beauty and Training Academy
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PJH Flooring
S&K Karaoke
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