Heybridge Swifts enjoyed a huge pay-day as a record 3,000 fans crammed into Scraley Road - and they were not disappointed.

West Ham kept to their word and sent a host of familiar faces for last night's match, hastily arranged as a warm-up for the club's InterToto Cup tie with FC Jokerit on Saturday.

Among the stars in action were Rio Ferdinand, Steve Lomas, Paulo Di Canio, Steve Potts, Samassi Abou and Mark Keller.

And fans also had a chance to glimpse new £3.5m signing Paulo Wanchope who, despite not playing, warmed up before the game and signed autographs for fans.

It was Heybridge who started the brighter, though, and Shaka Hislop had to make three saves from Nicky Simpson, Adam Gillespie and Mitchell Springett.

But the Hammers, clearly enjoying Swifts' bowling green pitch, soon settled and on 39 minutes Paul Kitson was sent through by the impressive Michael Carrick to score.

Amazingly, Heybridge were soon back on level terms. Simpson did well down the right and his low cross was knocked in by ex-U's man Tony Adcock on the stroke of half-time. Ferdinand went off at the break but West Ham stepped up a gear and Di Canio became increasingly influential.

Kitson made it two on 50 minutes and Di Canio, set up again by Carrick, extended the lead before the hour.

Kris Lee had a great chance to pull one back for Heybridge but shot wide and it was left to Di Canio to round off the evening's scoring on 78 minutes when he was brought down in the box, picking himself up to score from the spot.

Swifts boss Robbie Nihill said it had been an excellent evening for the club.

He said: "We thoroughly enjoyed it and the lads certainly enjoyed playing. I think we ran out of steam towards the end, especially as we had played the night before and they stepped it up a gear in the second half.

"I was pleased with the lads overall and with the support - we didn't envisage as many supporters as came. West Ham got a good run-out and we had a good pay day, so it was an excellent evening for everyone."

Paolo Di Canio battles for the ball

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