Motherwell and HJK Helsinki remain level after the first leg
of the Conference League tie after a 1-1 draw.
The visitors will be pleased that they take the game back to
Fir Park with a realistic chance of progressing. Tawanda Maswanhise gave them the lead with a
second half penalty but Teemu Pukki soon equalised to wrap up the game.
Alfred Johansson was forced into a couple of changes as Ibrahim Said and Dylan Willians were not available. Alex Lowry and Maswanhise stepped in for their first starts of the season.
The home side in blue and white kicked off facing the Steelmen in the home shirt with the away (claret) shorts.
Both sides adopted a similar approach to the game with a
deliberate passing build up from the back.
Alex Paulsen was called into action early but his good save was not
needed as the assistant flagged for offside.
He needed a bit of fortune later when Montanto messed up a great
opportunity with a free header from six yards; the ‘keeper got a saving hand to
end the threat.
Motherwell got a first touch in the HJK box midway through
the half and enjoyed a brief spell to give the defence some relief. A ‘Well
corner followed but it came to nought.
Motherwell started the
second half brightly. Oscar Priestman
had a low drive from twenty yards just off target and that was followed by a
couple of corner kicks. The midfielder
followed that up with a strike that hit the bar.
The travelling fans had a great view of the ‘Well
opener. Regan Charles-Cook went down
under a challenge and VAR intervened.
The referee was called to review and awarded a penalty. Maswanhise scored and the away end exploded.
The lead did not last long. Teemu Pukki, the 36 year old
striker, came off the bench and scored before breaking sweat. With three defenders in attendance he turned
and fired high into the net fron seven yards.
Fatugue and knocks prompted Johansson to use all five substitutes and they did what was asked. Five added minutes came and went without incident.
A late night return and a day or two to recover awaits before Falkirk visit Fir Park. A mouth-watering second leg clash with HJK will arrive on Thursday.
HJK Helsinki 1 Motherwell 1
Attendance:
Team: Paulsen,
Moorman, Girwood-Reich, Sparrow, Priestman, Fadinger (Whyte 65), Lowry (
Knight-Lebel 73), Longelo (Koutroumbis 79), Vogt (Booth 65), Charles-Cook (Ross
79), Maswanhise
Thursday 6
August 2026
