Spindles Win the 2025 Grassroots Cup on Penalties
Spindles 1 - 1 Beestera
(6 - 5) on Penalties
42’ - Locicero
Spindles United made their debut at Alumni Field, Cohoes High School against Beestera, competing for the second ever Grassroots Cup.
The game started out fast, with both teams trying to maintain majority of the possession.
Both teams trying to find a crack in the armor.
Spindles had a few early chances, but nothing was found. Each team putting on an amazing defensive effort.
That was true until the end of the first half.
A foul in the midfield led to a 35 yard free kick for, Manu Zevallos. An inch perfect cross found John Locicero, who scored a volley off the outside of his boot.
Locicero’s 9th goal on the season. Spindles take the lead 1-0, 40’.
The second half was a similar story.
Spindles maintained majority of the possession but both teams were looking to get a goal.
Spindles looked to score early, but came up unlucky.
Over the course of the half, they hit the woodwork 3 times.
Agaisnt the run of play, Beestera countered.
As they were in on goal the player was fouled inside the box, penalty.
Beestera steps up, and misses. The game remains 1-0 in favor of the Spins.
The game continued to go back and forth with Beesteras pressure.
Spindles looked to close the game out, but the Bees counters proved difficult.
Beestera found a gap between the defenders and goalkeeper, and James Beeston brought the ball down, dribbled past the keeper and promptly finished with less than 5 minutes left on the clock. 1-1, 85’.
Regulation ends level at 1.
Dave Lancier announces, “this Grassroots Cup… will be decided on penalties!”
*the crowd erupts*
Spindles are shooting first.
Locicero steps up, and buries it bottom right. 1-0.
Beestera on the spot, and buries it top right. 1-1.
Ryan Breen, with the one step run up, buries it bottom right. 2-1.
Beestera up again, steps up, and skies it over the bar. Spindles in the lead, 2-1.
Captain Marcos Lopez converts. 3-1.
Beestera converts, 3-2.
Frankie Palumbo of the Spins also converts sending the keeper the wrong way. 4-2.
Beestera makes their pen again 4-3.
Zevallos has the chance to end it.
However a tremendous save keeps Beestera in it. 4-3.
Beestera converts, leveling at 4-4.
Danny Sanchez looks to get Spindles back up, he promptly does, 5-4.
Beestera makes theirs as well, 5-5.
Mason Kievit, steps up for spindles and smashes it in the back of the net, 6-5.
Beestera is up, looking to get even.
Papa Ndiaye of Spindles United in net.
The ball is kicked, and SAVED. SPINDLES WIN THE GRASSROOTS CUP. 6-5 ON PENALTIES.
What started as a low scoring affair, turned into a dramatic spectacle that gave all the supporters a night to remember.
With more than 470 spectators in attendance, the 2025 Grassroots Cup was by far a success.
The full event recap will be dropping soon.
Spindles returns to league play against Motherland Bros, kicking off on Thursday, July 17th at 6:15pm. Nott Road Park
