UEFA Europa League qualifying round entrants Connah’s Quay, Bala Town and Bangor City were all left winless in their latest preparations ahead of Monday’s draw in Nyon, Switzerland.
The three Welsh Premier League sides each faced Northern Irish opposition in a specially arranged triple header between the two leagues.
Connah’s Quay fared the best of the three sides coming away from their visit to Ballymena United with a 0-0 draw in what was an encouraging Nomads performance.
Recent signing Les Davies featured as Bala Town were beaten 3-1 on home soil by NIFL champions Linfield.
After taking the lead midway through first-half, the visitors doubled their lead from the penalty spot five minutes before half-time.
Bala lifted themselves following the restart when Mark Connolly turned and finished to temporarily reduce Linfield’s lead before Cameron Steward’s header restored the Northern Irish side’s two-goal cushion.
Bangor City also fell to a 3-1 defeat at Coleraine.
The hosts had led on the half hour mark when Eion Bradely fired home but Dan Nardiello soon made amends when new City signing Luke Wall was brought down in the area to restore parity.
Coleraine rallied back in the second-half, regaining the advantage from James McLaughlin’s 20-yard free-kick. Jamie McGonigle sealed the win with a penalty after Bangor keeper Connor Roberts had fouled.
The three Welsh Premier clubs will find out their potential Europa League qualifying opponents for the first two rounds in Monday’s draw which will also confirm The New Saints’ Champions League qualifying opponents.
The first leg of the first qualifying round will be played in the last week of June.
Featured image courtesy of Naomi Jones/Bala Town FC
