Colchester United XI 2 West Ham XI 1
JOHN-Joe O’Toole marked his comeback from injury with a quickfire brace as Colchester United secured a narrow win over West Ham in a friendly this afternoon.
O’Toole had been troubled by a groin injury in recent weeks, and had not started a first team game since the 1-1 home draw against Sheffield United on August 25.
But the powerful midfielder netted twice, on 27 and 31 minutes, to give the U’s a 2-0 lead at half-time against a youthful West Ham side.
Ex-Watford man O’Toole drilled home the first from just inside the penalty area, and completed his double just four minutes later with a crisp volley, after Jordan Sanderson’s free-kick had ricocheted into his path.
The visitors pulled a goal back, just before the hour mark, through Freddie Piquionne, but the U’s held on for the win.
COLCHESTER (starting XI): Pentney, Olufemi, White, Heath, Hamilton, Sanderson, James-Lewis, Gilbey, O’Toole, Wright, Nwachuku.
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