In another action-packed encounter, former Hendon United stars Yoav Lebens and Josh Lipman featured in the Olim team.

The England team, under the management team of Edward Misrahi and David Kyte, started brightly and playing good controlled football. George Goldstone, Joel Barnett), Max Kyte and captain Ory Halperin were resolute in defence. In front of them, Tom Prais and Max Misrahi played with great composure, while Marco Lawrence and Max Radford ran tirelessly down the wings.

Simon Misrahi and Simon Moses threatened in the final third but the late arrival of Ari Nevies and Zack Shooter, who came directly from the Ben Gurion airport, enabled England to play a more attacking 3-5-2 formation.

Trailing at half-time, Kyte quipped that “lesser sides would have crumbled like matzah,” but the visitors remained firm and a good team move saw Kyte lay the ball to Lawrence who picked his spot from 25 yards.

The travelling fans were ecstatic and with no more goals and family lunches pending the game went straight to a penalty shoot-out with England Maccabi winning on sudden death after a series of seven penalties.

Kyte commented: “Another year of bonding and bringing the Diaspora closer to Israel. The fixture for 2019 has been arranged already and next year it may be in Jerusalem!”