Manchester Maccabi 1sts’ preparation for the new season continue.

They were beaten in a seven-goal thriller by Smedley Rangers of the Manchester Saturday League on August 19. Josh Rubin, Michael Green and Ryan Sylvester were the marksmen.

Trailing 1-0 at the break. Rubin squared things up from 20 yards, keeping his cool in a one-on-one situation two minutes into the second half.

Maccabi forged ahead minutes later following a great run by Andy Rosenberg, which took him past three men, to cross for Ryan Sylvester who made no mistake.

Poor finishing and woeful passing prevented Maccabi from extending their lead. They made seven substitutions in the 70th minute which disrupted the team spirit and Smedley capitalised, scoring three times in a 15-minute spell to lead 4-2.

A last minute strike from Green was too little, too late.

Five days later, Maccabi thumped Republic of Mancunia 8-2.

Ashley Loofe opened the scoring from 12 yards three minutes in. It was 2-0 minutes later as a Rubin’s through ball found Dan Selwyn who found the net.

Maccabi extended their lead in the 10th minute when Selwyn played in Loofe for his second. The match was as good as over by the 13th minute when Adam Lavin set up Rubin who smashed the ball home from 20 yards.

Republic reduced the arrears when a defensive mix up allowed the evergreen Moshe Hasid to score from close range, but parity was restored after 35 minutes when Adam Greene crossed for Lavin to stroke home his first of four. Maccabi led 5-1 at half time.

Early in the second half, Sylvester played a lovely ball to Lavin who rounded the keeper to make it six and then Rubin crossed for Lavin to complete his hat-trick with goal number seven.

Lavin claimed his fourth with a tap-in with five to go before Mike Gastwirth scored Republic’s second with a good shot that rebounded off the keeper for him to stroke home at the second attempt.