COLERAINE played out a 1-1 draw against H&W Welders as our pre-season schedule continued at The Showgrounds…

Bannsiders boss Ruaidhrí Higgins handed game time to those who missed out in the Charity Shield final against Larne, with several of the club’s bright young talents also given the chance to shine.

The Welders threatened first with just three minutes on the clock when Jack Reilly was sent through on goal but Ryan Schofield made a fine stop to deny the attacker.

Minutes later, a fine team move allowed the Welders a shot on goal as once again Schofield produced a smart save to deny Reilly.

The Bannsiders suffered a blow midway through the first half when Ben Wylie had to be subbed off through injury, with Connor Murray’s free-kick from 25 yards arrowing just wide.

However, the Welders struck first when Daniel Mhondiwa centred the ball for Ewan McCoubrey who made no mistake with a smart finish.

The Welders went within a lick of paint of making it 2-0 before the break when McCoubrey’s header came off the post.

The second half saw less goal mouth action as McCoubrey went close with a shot from the edge of the area, with Jack Reilly also flashing wide.

Coleraine did manage to find an equaliser and in fine style on 74 minutes as Yohan Prigent showed neat footwork inside the box to escape his markers and execute a low effort into the bottom corner.

Both teams created opportunities thereafter in a bid to find a winner but the friendly finished 1-1.

A busy weekend of pre-action for the Bannsiders across two games, with Higgins' men scheduled to face Limavady United on Tuesday (July 7) and Dollingstown and Newbuildings United next Saturday (July 11).

COLERAINE: Schofield, Watson, Lyons-Foster, A. Wilson, C. Wilson, Coyle, Wylie, McCourt, Prigent, Devlin, Murray.

Subs: Webb (GK), Patton, Campbell, O'Doherty, Cowan, Walker.