Will Lankshear, the much‑heralded signing, delivered a decisive second‑half brace as Middlesbrough rallied to open their Championship campaign with a gritty 2-1 win, halting the impressive nine‑month unbeaten streak of newly promoted Lincoln City. The Imps, making their first appearance in the second tier in 65 years, burst out of the blocks and took the lead in the 12th minute. Captain Tendayi Darikwa surged down the right flank, whipped in a pinpoint cross and Adam Reach, arriving from the left, unleashed a ferocious left‑footed strike from about 15 yards that beat Middlesbrough goalkeeper Radek Vítek and put Lincoln ahead.
Middlesbrough’s manager Kim Hellberg had trusted a host of summer acquisitions – Radek Vítek, Sebastian Berhalter, Kyle Joseph and the headline‑grabbing Lankshear – to start the match. Returning loanees Alpha Kante and Neto Borges also featured, adding depth to a side still finding its rhythm after a busy transfer window. Lincoln, under the freshly appointed joint head‑coaches Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw, fielded the same eleven players who had clinched the League One title the previous season. Their familiarity translated into a high‑intensity opening spell, with wing‑backs overlapping and creating the opening goal.
The early stages saw Boro pressing but failing to find a clear answer. Leo Castledine and Kante threatened from distance, while Adilson Malanda’s header was comfortably saved by George Wickens.
Dom Jefferies also enjoyed two chances before the half‑hour mark, but the visitors remained resilient. As the first half progressed, Middlesbrough began to grow into the game. Lankshear tested the Lincoln defence with a couple of early shots, and Kyle Joseph’s close‑range effort was expertly blocked by Wickens.
The Imps continued to press, with Morgan Whittaker curling a free‑kick just over the bar and Lankshear seeing his attempt smothered by the same keeper. The deadlock was finally broken in the 62nd minute. Callum Brittain delivered a low cross from the right that was initially headed away by defender Deji Elerewe. The ball fell to Castledine, whose angled drive was intercepted by Lankshear, who instinctively redirected it into the net from six yards out, leveling the score at 1-1.
The momentum had clearly shifted. The Boro crowd sensed the change, and the team surged forward with renewed vigor. In the dying minutes of regular time, Lankshear struck the post with a powerful effort, narrowly missing a second equaliser and keeping the tension high. Extra time arrived, and it was the newly signed striker who would seal the win.
Substituted in to add fresh impetus, Riley McGree worked the ball down the right wing, delivering a precise pass to Lankshear at the near post. The forward calmly slotted the ball home, clinching a 2-1 victory for Middlesbrough as the referee added stoppage‑time. Post‑match, Hellberg reflected on the performance: "The first half we were out‑played; they deserved the lead even if they didn’t create many chances.
Our structure was off, and I take responsibility for not giving the players clearer direction, especially with so many new faces. The second half was different – the crowd was electric, the players showed passion, and we chased every ball.
I’m grateful to the squad and coaching staff for turning the game around." Lincoln’s co‑coach Chris Cohen praised his side’s effort despite the loss: "The lads gave an amazing performance in the first half, showing heart and relentless pressure. In the second half we dropped deeper, lost our punch‑back and that cost us. Still, we’re proud; we proved we can compete at this level and gave the fans belief." The result marked a significant moment for both clubs.
For Middlesbrough, it signalled that their summer recruitment was beginning to gel, with Lankshear’s immediate impact validating his high transfer fee. For Lincoln, the defeat ended a remarkable 29‑game unbeaten run across all competitions that had started in early December, highlighting the challenges of stepping up to the Championship. Looking ahead, both teams will take lessons from this encounter.
Hellberg will aim to tighten his tactical setup and integrate the new players more seamlessly, while Cohen and Shaw will look to adjust their defensive shape to avoid conceding late goals against quality opposition. The fixture also underscored the intensity and unpredictability of the Championship, where newly promoted sides can challenge established clubs, and a single moment of brilliance – like Lankshear’s brace – can swing the outcome. Fans can continue to follow the action through official EFL channels, with live streams available on mobile devices and free highlight reels posted after each match.
The excitement generated by this opening game sets the tone for a season full of drama, ambition, and the ever‑present quest for promotion. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £250k! Enter for free.