FC Team La Manga tour diary

Muleno equalised after 30 minutes following a penalty given away by Ben Simon. The resultant spot-kick was confidently despatched down the middle to make it 1-1.

FC Team's lack of energy began to tell and Muleno finished the game off with two late goals.

FC Team manager Mitch Young told JC Sport: "Muleno were simply amazing. They passed the ball and moved so quickly and elegantly. We were chasing shadows for nearly 90 minutes.

"What was pleasing was that we kept our shape and Muleno could not break down our banks of four and were beginning to get frustrated.

"Once again, no matter who we play, we've shown we can score goals on the counter with the linkes of Salmon, Shai (Davidi) and Mossy. Ed (Bloom) making his debut in goal was brilliant and kept the score down. Overall, it was a great experience against a top side."

Man of the match: Ed Bloom
Donkey of the match: Dan Lederman - he was filming as injured but missed our goal

The following day FC Team had a light training session back at La Manga Club. After the session they held a penalty competition won by James Korn and a game of horse (where the loser stands on the goal-line and everyone fires the ball at them). This was won (or lost) by Darren Freed. They finished with a crossbar challenge, but there was no winner this time as no-one hit the bar. The rest of that day was spent in the spa and plunge pools recovering.

FC Team claimed a famous victory on Saturday afternoon at La Manga Club

FC Team 1 La Manga Staff 0
Goal Scorer: Craig Edwards
The decisive moment saw a great ball from Gideon Moss release Shai Davidi down the right who played the ball to Edwards who finished nicely through the keeper's legs.

FC Team missed a number of chances but in truth were a shadow of a team that played on Thursday as hangovers began to show.

FC Team manager Mitch Young told JC Sport: "There is not too much to say about this one as everyone was out until the early hours partying and have breached club rules. They were caught on camera by the Spanish press and will be docked a weeks wages!"

Man of the match: Gideon Moss
Donkey of the match: James Korn- subbing himself because he was bored

There was a team dinner that evening ahead of the final match against Soho CF on Sunday morning.

FC Team 3 Soho CF 6
Goal scorers: Shai Davidi x2, Craig Edwards
Soho went into a 2-0 lead early in the first half, where some dubious refereeing decisions cost the Team. Nonetheless, FC Team came back when Adam Rosenfeld released Shai Davidi who broke the offside trap and after seeing his shot saved, tapped home from five yards.

FC Team trailed 2-1 at half time and they were forced into a reshuffle as keeper Ed Bloom had to go off injured and big centre back James Korn took the gloves.

FC Team were in the game and had they had a chance to equalise but Richard Salmon spurned the opportunity. Soho then brought on star players, wearing No. 10 and 11 and they took the game away from the visitors, with manager Mitch Young describing them as "simply unplayable". The score soon went to 4-1.

Shai Davidi scored his scond of the match with a neat finish from the edge of the box before Edwards scored the goal of the tournament. Danny Moss played Edwards in, he took the ball into the area, one-on-one with the Spanish defender, he performed a Ronaldinho step-over then nutmegged the defender before curling the ball into the bottom corner passed the keeper. The game finished up 3-6 but FC Team performed well.

FC Team manager Mitch Young told JC Sport: "Considering we had a few injuries and this being our third game in four days, I thought we played very well. The goals we scored were sensational. Soho played a very high line - Salmon, Shai and Mossy got in and we perhaps should have scored a few more. We learnt from our previous two games and actually tried to pass the ball a lot more and it was pleasing to see. Soho have some exceptional talent and it was a pleasure to play against them."
Man of the match: Shai Davidi
Donkey of the match: Adam Rosenfeld

Reflecting on another excellent trip, as the squad headed home, Young told JC Sport: "This was our fourth tour in six years and once again, everyone bonded and got on really well.

"For me, it is just about seeing the guys experience something no other club can give them and seeing them happy makes it all worthwhile. There was a mix of old FC Team guys and quite a few new players.

"The football we played was very good at times, we scored some nice goals and played against some class opposition. Hopefully we learnt something from the games and a different style of play.

"I would like to thank Fran De Paula from La Manga club and Trust Property Management for sponsoring our trip. No doubt we will be back within the next 18 months and it is a big part of why FC Team are such a special club."

FC Team La Manga squad: Ed Bloom, Gideon Moss, James Korn, Shai Davidi, Craig Edwards, Danny Moss, Richard Salmon, Mitch Young, Adam Rosenfeld, James Milman, Emile Ben Atar, Freddy Marks, Darren Freed, Ben Simon, Dan Lederman, Jonny Pearl