Adam Goldsmith believes the Maccabi GB team are heading in the right direction following their latest match in the England Handball Association Regional Development League 2.

There were signs of improvement as Maccabi came close to registering their first competitive victory. But there was a late sting in the tail as Thames Handball II capitalised on several late penalties and free-throws to edge home 19-12.

Liam Stein won MGB's man-of-the-match award after finding the net twice, with Alex Elf (3), Dean Caplin (2), Yitzchok Mordfield, Adam Goldman, Anthony Tropp and Goldsmith (2) completing the scoring.

Goldsmith said: "I actually left the court feeling like we had won – not because of the score, but because of how well the boys played.

"However, we have to cut out the errors and not give the referee any reasons to award so many fouls, regardless of who is officiating.

"I am really pleased for the players who got their first goals for the team. You could see how down the squad was with the result but, hopefully, they will see the level we need to be at and it will make them even hungrier to get the win next time we play this team."