Strollers pay early penalty

Super Nova 1-0 Cliftonville Strollers [1-0 on aggregate]

A controversial early penalty proved the difference as Cliftonville Strollers exited the UEFA Youth League despite a brave showing against Super Nova in Riga this afternoon.

There were just three minutes on the clock when goalkeeper Matthew Belshaw was harshly adjudged to have felled Georgijs Bombans inside the box, with the forward picking himself up to net from the spot.

The hosts threatened with a couple of efforts from corners before Cillian Murray tried his luck at the other end, while Padraig Kelly was off target with an attempt of his own.

Murray tried his luck again before half-time and, though Super Nova – and Bombans in particular – continued to look dangerous on the attack, the Wee Reds’ desire to find a leveller ensured that the home team were forced into gradual retreat as the contest progressed.

Substitute Padai O’Kane was unable to test the keeper with a shot and, with Murray drawing a series of fouls in the closing minutes, Eoin McCann was next to go close but, try as they might, the Strollers were unable to force the game into a penalty shootout.

Cliftonville Strollers: Belshaw, McCann, Cassidy (McCreery, 64 mins), Stanfield, Moore, Connolly, Green (O’Kane, 46 mins), Anderson (Fitzsimons, 78 mins), Kelly (Skillen, 57 mins), Murray, McArdle (Perry, 78 mins). Unused subs: McInerney, Beasley, Meighan, Stiobhard.