Portsmouth secured their inaugural victory of the Championship campaign with a convincing 3-1 win on the turf of Lincoln's Sincil Bank. After dropping their opening two fixtures by identical scorelines, the visitors found themselves under pressure early on, yet a swift seventh‑minute strike from Ryan Kavuma‑McQueen gave them the early advantage they needed.
Just nine minutes later Adrian Segecic doubled the lead, delivering a powerful left‑footed free‑kick from the edge of the box that curled past Lincoln keeper George Wickens into the bottom corner. The Imps, desperate to get back into the contest, earned a penalty before the half‑hour mark when Adam Reach’s 20‑yard effort was judged to have been handled by Zak Swanson. Reeco Hackett stepped up and coolly slotted the spot‑kick, reducing the deficit to 2‑1 and injecting a glimmer of hope into the home crowd. The first half continued with both sides creating chances, but Portsmouth’s defensive organization held firm.
Lincoln’s attempts from set‑pieces – including a looping header from Colby Bishop that was comfortably gathered by Wickens – were largely repelled. A second attempt by Bishop was deflected away by captain Tendayi Darikwa, leading to another corner.
The visitors’ goalkeeper, Nicolas Schmid, made several crucial saves, notably denying a close‑range effort from Freddie Draper after Draper had linked up well with Ben House earlier in the half. The second half began with Lincoln forced to make an early substitution after Darikwa suffered a knee injury ten minutes into the period. This opened the door for Andrei Coubis, the club’s record signing, to make his home debut. Despite the change, the Imps struggled to generate clear-cut chances as the sun beat down on the ProAmpac Stadium and the tempo slowed.
Portsmouth’s breakthrough came in the 69th minute when substitute Ebrima Adams found himself with space in the middle of the park. He surged forward and unleashed a spectacular 25‑yard drive that flew past Wickens into the net, restoring a two‑goal cushion and effectively sealing the match.
Segecic came close to adding a fourth goal in the dying minutes, but his low strike was comfortably saved by Wickens, who made a series of important interventions throughout the game. In the post‑match interview, Lincoln manager expressed disappointment, noting that the team had dominated large portions of the first half but failed to capitalize on their chances. He highlighted the early goal as a turning point that deflated the squad’s momentum and emphasized the need to tighten up defensively after conceding too many goals in recent fixtures.
Portsmouth captain John Mousinho praised his side’s performance, pointing out that they had faced a team that had amassed 103 points in the previous season. He commended the collective effort, especially the way the side handled Lincoln’s physical presence and managed to break down the opposition’s lines with incisive attacking play. Mousinho also acknowledged a few defensive lapses, particularly the goal that resulted from a set‑piece, but maintained that overall the performance was a strong step forward for a club still finding its footing in the second tier. The win marks a significant milestone for Portsmouth, who have now recorded their first three points of the season and will look to build on this momentum in the upcoming fixtures.
For Lincoln, the loss extends their search for a first victory back in the Championship after more than six decades, underscoring the challenges they face in adapting to the higher level of competition. Both teams will now turn their attention to the next round of matches, with Portsmouth hoping to continue their resurgence and Lincoln determined to regroup, address their defensive frailties, and rediscover the confidence that has eluded them since their promotion to the second tier.