A bright and early start for Spiders today, with parents setting the tone for creativity by attempting to remove what can only be described as a runny turd (presumed dog, but we're yet to have lab results confirmed) with a rake. And much like the efforts of the Spiders today, it was a good try but ultimately unsuccessful. We just kind of smeared it around the grass.

Anyhow, having been tonked by the Blues a few weeks ago, the Spiders were determined to avenge the defeat and were the team who looked most likely to score in the opening stages. Seth Hayden let the front line expertly, and had an early shot that went just wide.

Captain Fantastic Arthur Duff was phenomenal throughout the whole game, and showed his pace and strength in defense to track the Blues striker and put in a goal saving tackle early on. The ball rebounded to the Blues midfielder who shot just over.

Against the run of play, the Blues went 1-0 up with a long range shot that found it's way into the net. Spiders stepped it up after this and hammered the Blues defence. Seth and Lorran Voltou linked up well to deliver a ball to Henry Rushbrook, whose wicked shot went just over the bar. Arthur and Stanley Bower scared the defenders silly with their runs up the wing, and Elliot Gard, always a rock in defence, made some searing runs forward, at one point skipping past two players before slipping the ball to Stan, who put in a great cross from the right that Oliver Dovey, who was a threat all morning, was so unlucky not to reach.

Defensively Spiders were solid, but eventual Parent's player of the match Beni Salomao was immense between the sticks, making several saves and brave stops at the feet of the Blues attackers.

Spiders' excellent performance continued in the second half. Isla Browning led the battle charge in defence, keeping the Blues attackers at bay. Jack Salmon was strong in the tackle and made some excellent strong and skillful runs down the wing, linking up well with Stan. Beni just kept eating up every ball that came his way. Henry had an excellent long range shot saved, and Oliver Dovey was tackled just before he would have almost certainly bagged the equaliser. As the game entered the final minutes, Spiders were throwing everything at them: Lorran went on a marauding run and had his shot saved, and Stan's shot went just wide.

But, much like it was for fans of North London football teams this weekend, football was destined to disappoint and the final score was 0-1 to Blues. The Spider's work rate was superb today, and they more than matched their opponents. Coach Sam Rushbrook heaped praise on his team for working their socks off, saying that "Hatfield Peverel are a strong footballing side, but couldn't match Spiders for effort and determination today". He also praised goalkeeper Beni for his contribution to the team, in particular his reading of the game, and captain Arthur for his excellent performance.