London Maccabi Lions junior section hosted its second annual football festival at the weekend, following on from last year when Nice Maccabi came to Rowley Lane.

This year the visitors were an under 14 side from Jerusalem , Etsion FC.

Nicky Bloom, the Lions co-manager who arranged the event, said: “It was a wonderful opportunity for the boys to come together with Etsion FC and to make new friends under the umbrella of football.

“All the participants enjoyed the experience and the Israelis were always technically of a very high standard, especially as they only play futsal.

We very much enjoyed putting together a programme of football for them during their stay in London so they could mix and socialise with as many boys of their own age as possible whilst they were here.”

Two 11-a-side matches were played at Rowley Lane. The Lions also put together a seven-a-side tournament, inviting six teams including,  Redbridge Jewish Care and  Brady Maccabi in honour of their guests.

The Israelis also played a further match against a King Solomon High School team which also ended in a win and an overall  unbeaten record in the 11 and seven-a-side tournaments. The games were officiated by professional Maccabi referees.