Riga return

Cliftonville Strollers return to European action when they face Super Nova in the second leg of their UEFA Youth League tie on Wednesday afternoon.

Almost a month has passed since the Wee Reds played out a goalless draw with their Latvian opponents in the opening duel of their first round clash, and the team head to Riga with the contest delicately poised.

Boasting six players who had already made their senior bows for the Club, the Strollers were given a few scares by their visitors in the first-half but assumed greater control of proceedings after the interval, with Keevan Hawthorne coming closest to breaking the deadlock.

With just two minutes on the clock, goalkeeper Matthew Belshaw made a fine save to turn an effort from Daniels Zeps over the bar before Ilja Strelcovs and Georgijs Bombans threatened.

After an offside flag halted Cillian Murray in a promising position, the Reds saw both Fintan McArdle and Alfie Anderson go close before the first period ended with Belshaw keeping out Alens Grikovs’ attempt.

Cliftonville stepped things up in the second-half and, following a shot from Hawthorne, captain Paul Stanfield tried his luck and Anderson sent a sweeping strike wide ahead of the Reds’ clearest opening of the night coming when some tidy play on the edge of a crowded penalty area ended with Hawthorne working just enough room for himself only to send his low drive straight at goalkeeper Toms Petrovics.

As the hosts went in search of a late goal, injury-time saw Padai O’Kane shoot off target before a fierce blast across the face of goal from David Green found no takers inside the box, ensuring the contest will resume goalless when the sides renew rivalries at SB Arkadija on Wednesday afternoon (4pm).