To the fourfront

Cliftonville Strollers returned to the top of the Academy League with a 4-0 victory over Carrick Rangers Under 18s last night.

After winning their first four games of the season, the Wee Red slipped to their first defeat when they face Ards last time out but bounced back in style against Carrick, with 15-year-old Daniel McIlroy bagging a hat-trick in addition to a single strike from Paul Scullion.

Marc Smyth’s side return to action on Friday night when they travel to face Glenavon before taking on Crusaders Under 18s in a November 2 North Belfast Derby battle.