Teden Mengi captained the side as the Reds enjoyed a return to a valuable tournament for providing continental experience, following its cancellation last term due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shola Shoretire, who became the youngest player to appear in this competition when coming off the bench as a 14-year-old against Valencia in 2008, bagged the only goal of the game in the first half.
The hosts started brightly but Charlie Savage managed an early sighter and it was not long before the Reds edged in front in the 14th minute.
Shoretire was on hand to find the net from close range to provide lift-off for the campaign in this competition, after it was cancelled last term due to COVID-19.