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Colchester United 1-2 West Ham United 

Tuesday, 16th July 2013
by Staff Writer

West Ham secured a fourth successive pre-season victory thanks to a 2-1 win against League One Colchester United last night.

Goals from Joe Cole and James Collins - both on target for the first time in pre-season - set the Hammers up for the win before the home side grabbed an injury-time consolation through Ibehre.

On a hot and sticky night in North Essex, Sam Allardyce gave starts to a number of fringe first team players including Elliott Lee, Ravel Morrison and James Tomkins - the latter of whom was particularly keen to impress having missed the entirety of last year's pre-season due to his involvement with Great Britain's Olympic football squad.

West Ham had scored within the opening ten minutes at both Cork and Bournemouth already this pre-season so it was no surprise when Cole popped up with just seven minutes played to put the Hammers ahead on the night.

However to say there was little Cole, now back at the club for his second spell, could do about it would be an understatement. An attempted clearance from U's hapless 'keeper Cousins struck the midfielder before bouncing back into a gaping net.

West Ham had to wait until the second half before doubling the lead and once again it was an early strike that undid the hosts. With just five minutes of the second period on the clock, James Collins rose highest to convert a Cole corner to make it 2-0.

And that was how it stayed until the second minute of added-on time when Colchester grabbed a consolation through Olufemi, who climbed above Pelly Ruddock to divert a Olufemi centre beyond a despairing Adrian in the Irons goal.

The win - albeit a narrow one - was West Ham's fourth of pre-season following the successes over Cork City (6-2), Boreham Wood (3-0) and Bournemouth (2-0).

And Sam Allardyce was keen for his players to take their good form with them to Germany, where they will be based for the next week. We are looking very good, even at this early stage," he said. "I just hope we can keep it up in Germany."

(Away fans: 2,569)

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Player Ratings

Adrian
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Guy Demel
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Razvan Rat
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James Tomkins
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James Collins
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Mo Diame
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Mark Noble
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Matt Taylor
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Joe Cole
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Ravel Morrison
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Elliot Lee
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Substitutes

Joey O'Brien
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Seb Lletget
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Modibo Maiga
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Danny Potts
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Pelly Ruddock
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Winston Reid
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Jack Collison
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Match Facts

West Ham United: Adrian, Guy Demel, Razvan Rat, James Tomkins, James Collins, Mo Diame, Mark Noble, Matt Taylor, Joe Cole, Ravel Morrison, Elliot Lee.

Goals: Joe Cole 7 James Collins 50                .

Booked: None booked.           .

Sent Off: None sent off.     .

Colchester United: Cousins, Olufemi, Okuonghae, Eastman, Barrett, Bond, Izzet, Bean, Sears, Morrison, Massey.

Subs not used: .

Goals: Olufemi (90+1).

Booked: None booked..

Sent off: None.

Referee: tbc.

Attendance: 6,610.

Man of the Match: Joe Cole.