George Moncur’s fine free-kick against his former club helped Colchester United beat a young West Ham United side 1-0 in a pre-season friendly tonight.

Moncur’s set-piece strike after 12 minutes proved the difference between the two sides in front of a crowd of 6,650 at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, as the U’s made it four wins out of four in pre-season.

U's boss Tony Humes said: "It was a good workout - it was a case of playing against a different style of play and getting the team back into shape.

"We also wanted to get a few players 90 minutes and we're starting to extend the number of minutes the players are getting.

"West Ham brought an under-21 team but it was a very competitive game and we got something out of it.

"It was a very good crowd which was pleasing and they got behind the lads and enjoyed a good game of football.

"At this stage of the season, results don't matter in terms of what we're trying to get out of it but fans still want to see us win.

"Once the game went on, I thought the players managed it well and thought about how we were going to win it which is good going into the new season, because it's a mentality we have to have.

"It was a fantastic free-kick from George and he wanted to prove something against his old club."

Colchester deserved their victory against a Hammers side made up predominantly of academy players.

The U’s were quick out of the blocks against their young opponents, looking to seize the early initiative.

Colchester’s early play was quick and inventive and their passing was crisp, with the Hammers having little in the way of attacking play in the opening stages.

The U’s took the lead after 12 minutes through Moncur, whose well-placed free-kick from the edge of the D sailed past helpless Hammers keeper Raphael Spiegel.

Colchester continued to look the more dangerous of the two sides after that.

Alex Gilbey came close to doubling their lead on the half hour when he failed to properly connect with Drey Wright’s cross from 12 yards, while Moncur’s long run ended in a weak shot straight at Spiegel.

West Ham finished the first half with more purpose but Colchester were the better of the two sides up until half-time and deserved their lead at the break.

The Hammers started the second half brightly and Jordan Brown’s deflected strike flashed just wide of the far post, in the minutes that immediately followed the interval.

But the second half was generally a less lively affair, although Matt Briggs dragged a low shot wide for Colchester and Alex Gilbey burst into the area after a sweeping move, only to be denied by Spiegel.

Gavin Massey fired straight at Spiegel with 20 minutes remaining and went close again five minutes later but Moncur’s strike proved enough to give Colchester victory.

For a full match report and pictures, see Wednesday’s Daily Gazette.