Will Lankshear, the highly‑rated summer acquisition, delivered a decisive second‑half brace as Middlesbrough rallied to open their Championship campaign with a gritty 2-1 win, snapping Lincoln City's remarkable nine‑month unbeaten streak. The Imps, celebrating their first appearance in England's second tier in 65 years, started brightly and took the lead in the 12th minute when Adam Reach finished a swift move that began with captain Tendayi Darikwa's low cross from the right.
Reach, arriving from the left, struck a powerful left‑footed effort from about 15 yards that beat Middlesbrough goalkeeper Radek Vitek, giving Lincoln an early advantage. For Boro, the match was a test of how quickly a squad packed with new signings could gel. Manager Kim Hellberg handed a starting eleven that featured summer arrivals Radek Vitek, Sebastian Berhalter, Will Lankshear and Kyle Joseph, while returning loanees Alpha Kante and Neto Borges were also on the pitch after spells at St Étienne and Bristol City. Lincoln, on the other hand, fielded the same eleven players who had clinched the League One title the previous season, underscoring the continuity in their side.
The early period was dominated by Lincoln's high‑intensity pressing. After the opening goal, Boro tried to answer back, with Leo Castledine and Alpha Kante testing the Imps from distance and Adilson Malanda seeing a header saved by young defender George Wickens.
Dom Jefferies also produced two half‑chance opportunities for the visitors before the break. Middlesbrough increased the tempo, and Lankshear began to make his presence felt, taking a couple of shots that forced the Lincoln defence into action. Kyle Joseph’s close‑range attempt was neatly blocked by Wickens, highlighting the narrow margins.
The second half saw the momentum shift dramatically. In the 62nd minute, Callum Brittain delivered a low cross from the right that was initially headed away by Deji Elerewe, but the ball fell to Castledine, whose angled drive was flicked home by Lankshear from six yards out.
The goal came after a brief scramble in the box and marked Lankshear’s first league goal for the club, equalising the score and injecting belief into the Boro supporters. Lincoln continued to press, and Lankshear, now fully involved, had a header cleared off the line by Wickens before Morgan Whittaker curled a free‑kick just over the bar.
The Imps looked poised to regain the lead, but Boro’s resolve grew. In added time, with the game hanging in the balance, substitute Riley McGree provided a pinpoint pass down the right wing.
Lankshear timed his run perfectly, meeting the ball at the near post and slotting it home to complete his brace and seal a dramatic victory for Middlesbrough. After the final whistle, Hellberg reflected on the performance, acknowledging the first‑half dominance of the Imps and his own tactical shortcomings. "In the first half we were out‑played and my structure wasn’t good enough," he admitted, noting the difficulty of integrating several new players. He praised the squad’s character, saying, "We have an unbelievable group of players and coaches who turned the game around.
The second half was electric – the crowd, the passion, the relentless chase – and the players delivered when it mattered." Lincoln’s joint head coaches, Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw, also shared their thoughts. Cohen highlighted the team’s early intensity, stating, "The first half was exactly what we wanted – we pressed high, created constant threats, and deserved the goal." He also admitted that a tactical dip in the second half, where the side dropped deeper and lost its punch‑back, allowed Boro to capitalize.
"Against a quality side, you need to stay sharp for the full 90 minutes," he warned, adding that the defeat was a valuable lesson as the Imps prepare for a long season in the Championship. The match marked the end of Lincoln’s impressive 29‑game unbeaten run across all competitions, a streak that began in early December. It also signalled the start of a new chapter for Middlesbrough, who now have a proven goal‑scorer in Lankshear and a core of summer signings beginning to find their rhythm together.
The win not only gave Boro three points but also boosted confidence ahead of a demanding schedule that will test the depth and resilience of both squads. Looking ahead, both clubs will be keen to build on the lessons learned.
Middlesbrough will aim to maintain the attacking impetus shown by Lankshear and his fellow newcomers, while Lincoln will look to tighten their defensive shape and avoid the second‑half lapses that cost them dearly. The Championship promises a fiercely competitive season, and this opening encounter has already provided a vivid illustration of the fine margins that can separate triumph from disappointment. Fans of both sides can continue to follow the action through official club channels, with live updates, post‑match analysis, and highlights available on the EFL app and the clubs' websites. For those who missed the drama, free Championship highlights are posted weekly, ensuring that the excitement of each match remains accessible to a wider audience.
In summary, Will Lankshear’s double‑goal performance not only broke Lincoln’s unbeaten spell but also underscored Middlesbrough’s potential to challenge for promotion. The match delivered high‑tempo football, tactical battles, and a dramatic finish that set the tone for what promises to be an enthralling season in England’s second division.