Middlesbrough’s high‑profile acquisition Will Lankshear delivered a decisive performance, scoring twice in the second half to guide the team to a hard‑earned 2‑1 triumph over newly promoted Lincoln City. The victory not only marked Boro’s opening win in their Championship campaign but also snapped Lincoln’s remarkable nine‑month unbeaten streak across all competitions. Lincoln, making their first appearance in the second tier in 65 years, came out firing and took the early initiative. In the 12th minute, captain Tendayi Darikwa surged down the right wing, delivering a pinpoint cross that found Adam Reach.
The forward cut in from the left and unleashed a powerful left‑footed strike from about 15 yards, beating Middlesbrough goalkeeper Radek Vitek to put the Imps ahead. For Middlesbrough, the match was a litmus test for manager Kim Hellberg’s summer signings. He handed a starting berth to the quartet of Radek Vitek, Sebastian Berhalter, Kyle Joseph and the much‑talked‑about Lankshear, while recent loanees Alpha Kante and Neto Borges also featured after returning from spells at St Étienne and Bristol City. The early dominance of Lincoln was understandable.
Their starting eleven comprised the same players who had secured the League One title the previous season, and the team displayed a high‑intensity pressing style that unsettled Boro’s defence. After the opening goal, Middlesbrough struggled to find rhythm, with attempts from Leo Castledine and Kante falling short and a header from Adilson Malanda being comfortably saved by George Wickens.
Despite the pressure, the visitors remained dangerous. Dom Jefferies created a couple of chances before the interval, and Lankshear began to make his presence felt, testing the opposition goalkeeper with a couple of threatening shots.
A close‑range effort from Kyle Joseph was expertly blocked by Wickens, highlighting the fine margins of the first half. The second half saw a shift in momentum. Middlesbrough emerged with greater intensity, pressing higher up the pitch and forcing Lincoln onto the back foot. In the 62nd minute, a well‑timed cross from Callum Brittain on the right wing was headed back by Deji Elerewe, landing at the feet of Castledine.
The midfielder’s angled drive was met by Lankshear, who instinctively redirected the ball into the net from six yards out, leveling the score. The equaliser injected fresh belief into the Boro side, and Lankshear continued to menace the Lincoln defence. After a series of exchanges, the striker found space at the near post in added time.
Substituted midfielder Riley McGree had been working the right flank, delivering a pinpoint ball that Lankshear met with composure, slotting the ball home to give Middlesbrough a 2‑1 lead and ultimately the win. Post‑match, Hellberg reflected on the performance, acknowledging the first‑half struggle: “They were better than us early on, and I wasn’t happy with the structure we showed. With so many new faces, I should have been clearer in my instructions.” He praised his squad for turning the game around, noting the electric atmosphere created by the fans and the players’ relentless energy in the second half. Lincoln’s joint head coaches, Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw, also spoke candidly.
Cohen lauded his team’s heart and the quality of the first‑half display, but admitted that a tactical shift in the second half – dropping deeper and losing their punch‑back – allowed Middlesbrough to seize control. He emphasized pride in the squad’s effort and warned that the Championship will present tougher challenges ahead. The match also marked a historic moment for Lincoln, as their nine‑month unbeaten run in all competitions, spanning 29 games since early December, was finally broken.
Their debut in the Championship, the first since 1961, demonstrated that they could compete at a higher level, even if the result was not in their favour. Overall, the game highlighted the impact a marquee signing can have. Lankshear’s brace not only secured three points for Middlesbrough but also signaled his arrival as a key figure in the club’s push for promotion.
The win provides a morale boost for Boro as they embark on a demanding season, while Lincoln can take confidence from their strong start and the lessons learned against a seasoned opponent. Both managers emphasized the importance of cohesion and adaptability moving forward. Hellberg will look to integrate his new arrivals more seamlessly, while Lincoln’s coaching duo will aim to fine‑tune their tactical approach to maintain competitiveness in the second tier.
The season is just beginning, but this encounter has already set the tone for a thrilling campaign for both clubs.