Tony Humes felt Colchester United’s pre-season friendly against a Fulham XI was a good exercise for his side, despite their narrow 1-0 defeat.

But the U’s boss admits his side need to finish their chances when they come along, after they were beaten 1-0 by a young Cottagers side at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, in their final pre-season friendly of the summer.

Moussa Dembele’s header on the half hour proved the difference between the two sides, as Colchester completed their preparations for their league curtain-raiser against Blackpool next Saturday.

Humes said: “It was very unlike a League One game I’d imagine.

“But in terms of what we came up against and how we changed the game in the second half, it was a positive.

“It was a good exercise - it was a different game in the first half compared to the second half.

“In the first half, they showed good rotation and good movement and Fulham have some clever players.

“In the second half when we got organised and got the ball wider, we showed our strengths.

“We got the ball to Dion (Sembie-Ferris) and Gavin (Massey) and opened things up more.

“We were a lot more positive and had a lot more of the play, in the second half.

“We know how we want to play – it’s important that we use the width of the pitch.

"But when we create that many chances in the second half, we have to finish them off.”

Goalkeeper Sam Walker played another 45 minutes for Colchester, as he continues his comeback from a knee injury sustained near the end of last season.

“Sam has done well in training,” added Humes.

“He’s only been involved just over a week now and it’s a case of taking it bit by bit.

“But he looked fine out there and he got 45 minutes under his belt, which is good for him.

“A couple of other players got minutes under their belt that they needed and overall I was pleased.

“We were also able to blood a few kids at the end as well and give them some experience.”

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