COLERAINE suffered a defeat on their European return as Helsinki produced a clinical performance in front of goal...

Around 200 supporters travelled to the Bolt Arena for the contest and it was Helsinki who had the first attempt on goal as Ryan Schofield produced the goods to tip Toivo Mero’s shot over the crossbar.

Ben Doherty was the last Coleraine player to score away from home in Europe for the Stripes and his corner kick delivery sailed all the way to Rowan McDonald at the back post but he failed to plant his header on target.

After tight opening exchanges, Helsinki struck first on 12 minutes when Lucas Lingman had the vision to pick out the run of Liam Moller and he did the rest with a well-executed finish.

Not so long after, Coleraine will feel they should have equalised when Conor McMenamin picked up possession, and with home goalkeeper Matek Markovic off his line, the attacker attempted a lob but it failed to land below the crossbar.

Just after Coleraine survived a scare when Santeri Haarala’s shot sailed beyond the far post, they received a blow when debutant Aidan Wilson could no longer continue after suffering an injury.

Despite conceding possession to the Finns, Coleraine still carried a threat and had another attempt on goal when Dylan Boyle’s shot from just outside the box went the wrong side of the post.

Helsinki’s clinical prowess was evident yet again as they forged 2-0 ahead on 32 minutes as Moller was heavily involved yet again. The attacker was played in behind the Coleraine defence and he allowed team-mate Pyry Mertu to convert into an empty net.

Kodi Lyons-Foster, who was denied a reunion against his brother Brooklyn who signed for Derry City, was the next to try and get Coleraine back into the game but his header from Doherty’s cross was comfortably saved.

Helsinki didn’t let their foot off the gas and struck again straight after the restart as a long ball forward by Ville Tikkanen sent Mero on his way and he chipped the ball over Schofield for 3-0.

Unfortunately, there was another injury blow for Coleraine as Mark Coyle had to be stretchered off the pitch.

The Bannsiders then had Schofield to thank as he made a stunning low save to thwart Teemu Pukki, whilst at the other end, Matthew Shevlin just couldn’t keep his header down from Will Patching’s cross.

Helsinki then converted two quickfire goals through Pukki to further extend their advantage, with the Bannsiders going close at the end through Lyndon Kane as his well-timed header from Dean Jarvis’ cross forced Markovic to tip the ball over the bar.

HJK HELSINKI: Markovic, Cissokho, Ring (Gueye ’65 mins), Tikkanen, Mentu (Pukki ’65 mins), Lingman, Simojoki, Montano, Mero (Borchers ’82 mins), Moller (Lappalainen ’65 mins), Haarala (Kirilov ’73 mins).

Subs Not Used: Ost (GK), Haapanen (GK), Cicale, Kallinen, Levealahti, Ylitolva, Bogicevic.

COLERAINE: Schofield, Kane, Boyle, Coyle (Jarvis ’52 mins), Ives (Patching ’52 mins), Wilson (Lyons-Foster ’22 mins), Henderson (Cooper ’52 mins), McDonald, Wylie, Doherty, McMenamin (Shevlin ‘52 mins).

Subs Not Used: Webb (GK), Robinson (GK), McGregor, Murray, Devine, Hunt.

Referee: Novak Simović (Serbia)