Colchester United 1-0 West Ham: George Moncur's free-kick sinks former side as trialist Devante Cole started for visitors

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Colchester beat a West Ham XI 1-0 at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, with an early free-kick from former Irons trainee George Moncur.

With the Premier League club facing Birkirkara in Malta for Thursday night's Europa League second qualifying round second leg, manager Slaven Bilic opted to send a development squad up to Essex.

Striker Devante Cole, son of former England international Andy, was in the West Ham starting XI, the 20-year-old on a short trial having been at Manchester City's academy since 2003.

George Moncur (left) wheels away in celebration after his goal gave Colchester United a 1-0 win vs West Ham

Moncur (left) is congratulated by his team-mates after his 20-yard free-kick found the back of the net

Colchester went ahead on 13 minutes through a 20-yard curling free-kick by Moncur, who started his career at Upton Park.

The League One side remained in control, with West Ham finding little opportunity to get back in the match before changes by both teams on the hour.

Irons goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel made a couple of smart saves from midfielder Alex Gibley and then Gavin Massey, before Sammie Szmodics hit the outside of the post as Colchester finished strongly in front of a crowd of 6,650.

West Ham Academy manager Terry Westley confirmed afterwards that the club were hopeful of securing a deal for Cole, who has been offered a contract at City and would be subject to a compensation package because of his age.

'He is someone we will look at seriously. We think we are short in those forward positions,' Westley said.

'Unfortunately tonight it was difficult for a front player, because you are asking them to pick up their deepest midfield player and he did not get a lot of the ball.

Trialist Devante Cole (left) started for West Ham in Tuesday's pre-season encounter against Colchester

Moncur (left) plays a pass as Colchester look to keep possession at the Weston Homes Community Stadium

'But he showed flashes that he is dangerous in behind, and we know of him obviously because it is part of our job to know the talented young players around.

'He does not see a pathway through at Man City, so he is available and is someone we will look at seriously.'

Westley will continue to work with some of the first-team players not included in the travelling squad - like striker Diafra Sakho and summer signing Dimitri Payet, who are both suspended for the European tie - as West Ham's pre-season preparations continue.

He said: 'We knew if the first team had won really well (in the first leg) against Birkirkara, then we would have probably gone to Malta and the first team would have come and played this fixture.

'I have got a session tomorrow [Wednesday] with six of the ones who are not going. (Carl) Jenkinson has only been back a week, Enner Valencia has only been back a short time, Payet has not been at the club for that long, so he will have another run-out on Saturday (at Charlton).

'But I was delighted our team could come here tonight to make it competitive, in front of an unbelievable (West Ham) section of the crowd.'

Colchester's Drey Wright (right) pressurises West Ham youngster Moses Makasi during Tuesday's friendly