Overtime Winner Sends Spindles to their 2nd CDSL Final in 3 years
Spindles 3 - 2 FCSB (OT)
86’ - Alexander
92’ - Crook
108’ - Locicero (Alexander)
We wanted to start by apologizing to anyone who missed Tuesday night’s spectacle at Nott Road.
An overtime thriller between two heavyweight sides gave all spectators a match to remember.
On Tuesday night, 2nd seed Spindles United took on 3rd seed, and 2024 Champions FCSB in the CDSL semi-final.
The winner would book a spot in the 2025 CDSL final.
The Spins met FCSB once earlier this season, where they secured a 3-2 victory thanks to two last minute penalties by Zeidane Adjei.
Spindles knew it was going to be their toughest test since joining the league. And that it would take a lot of work and preparation, with a little bit of magic to take them down.
Despite the near heat-advisory temperatures, the match kicked off with high energy.
A few chances fell to Spindles on the counter-attack in the first half. But as expected, Spindles focused on defense from the start.
20 minutes in, a reckless challenge from an FCSB defender ended the season for our own Josh Donner. We wish him a speedy recovery!
FCSB tried to break the Spindles backline, but captains Marcos Lopez, Dan Crook and Goalkeeper Ryan Taylor kept Spindles in check.
The half ended 0-0, all the play for.
The second half brought similar energy from the start. With both sides battling in the midfield for possession.
Unfortunately, a defensive lapse 20 minutes in saw FCSB in on goal to open the scoring. 1-0, FCSB, 70’.
A tough blow for a strong defensive performance by the Spins.
However, the energy was not gone.
FCSB pushed for a second, but Spindles took advantage of their subs to find an equalizer.
Just as things began to look bleak for the Spins, a well worked attack found David Kankam on the wing.
A deflected 50/50 between him and the FCSB defender popped up in the box. Jimmy Alexander took it down and hit it low across the keeper. The players and crowd erupt. 1-1, 86’.
Spindles stay alive in their hopes to get to the final.
Regulation ended 1-1.
As we neared sundown, the referees turned on the Nott Road lights to mark Spindles first night game of the season.
By CDSL rules, we entered into 2-10 minute halves of extra time to decide the winner before penalties.
And the magic continued into extra-time.
Shortly after the kickoff, a corner kick by Lewis Whalen caused a jumble between 3 FCSB defenders.
One of their headers popped the ball up to the penalty spot where Crook hit a weak-foot volley to the far left post.
Crook celebrates with madness, and Spindles are ahead for the first time on the night. 1 step closer to the final. 2-1, 92’.
Spindles looked to be in control as the first half of extra-time came to a close.
The second half kicked off, 10 minutes away from the CDSL final.
FCSB pressed for an equalizer.
Goalkeeper Ryan Taylor kept Spindles in the game time and time again. Big saves left and right to stop the highest scoring players in the leagues history.
Early into the second half, FCSB win a corner.
The cross comes towards the Spindles keeper, where he was controversially taken down as he attempted to punch the ball away. Leaving an open header for FCSB. Their equalizer, 2-2, 103’.
At that point, both teams are running on fumes.
The match was surely headed to penalties.
Ian Maguire finds himself pressing on the wing, winning a foul for the Spins near the spectator side corner.
Our equalizing goalscorer, Alexander steps over the freekick.
*Referee blows his whistle*
Alexander whips one in back post. Crook is covered by two defenders.
Thats when John Locicero screamed, rose over the defenders and headed the cross down and past the goalkeeper. Spindles go nuts. 3-2, 108’.
Locicero runs to the corner to celebrate with the whole team who are going mad.
2 minutes later, the final whistle was blown. Marking Locicero’s goal as the over-time game winner that sent Spindles to their 2nd CDSL final.
A spectacle at Nott Road, to say the least. Cinema.
More than 100 people attended the match, and witnessed a real showing of Grassroots Football prevailing.
The Spins worked until the final minute, securing a well-deserved victory over a tough opponent. Spindles go 2-1 over FCSB in all-time matchups.
Despite so many great performances for Spindles on Tuesday, midfielder Ammar Singaporewala earned his second Man of the Match award of the season.
Singaporewala was the midfield engine that kept our ship afloat all game. Not coming off the field once in 110 minutes.
The last time Spindles made the CDSL final was in 2023, our second year in the league.
A heart-breaking loss to Vassi Realty set Spindles on a mission to win it all before we take on our next chapter as a club.
Spindles will have another chance at glory this Tuesday, 6:15PM at Nott Road Park. We will play against the winner of Motherland Bros (1) vs. Collar City FC (5).
See y’all there.
