Portsmouth secured their inaugural victory of the Championship campaign with a convincing 3-1 win at Lincoln's historic Sincil Bank ground. After dropping their first two fixtures by identical scorelines, the visitors found themselves under pressure early on, but a swift seventh‑minute strike from Ryan Kavuma‑McQueen gave them the momentum they needed. Nine minutes later Adrian Segecic doubled the lead, only for Lincoln to pull one back from the penalty spot when Reeco Hackett converted a spot‑kick just after the half‑hour mark.
The decisive blow came in the 69th minute when substitute Ebrima Adams unleashed a superb long‑range effort, sealing the match and leaving the Imps still searching for their first win since returning to the second tier more than six decades ago. The opening stages saw Lincoln begin brightly, earning a free‑kick just outside the box within the first two minutes.
Adam Reach's delivery was tipped over by Portsmouth keeper Nicolas Schmid, signalling that the home side would have to work hard for any advantage. A corner from Ivan Varfolomeev was initially cleared, but his second set‑piece found captain Tendayi Darikwa, whose first‑time effort was deflected away, prompting another corner. Freddie Draper then threaded a pass to Ben House, who found himself one‑on‑one with Schmid; however, his shot lacked power and the goalkeeper comfortably made the save.
Portsmouth struck first with a lightning‑quick attack. The ball was played to Kavuma‑McQueen on the left side of the Lincoln penalty area, and he calmly slotted a low drive into the bottom corner, giving the visitors an early lead. The goal came as a surprise to the home crowd, who had been hoping to establish dominance on their return to the Championship. Just nine minutes later, Colby Bishop's looping header forced a save from Lincoln keeper George Wickens, setting up Segecic for his second goal.
The Australian midfielder took a free‑kick from the edge of the box and curled a powerful left‑footed strike past Wickens, making the score 2‑0 and putting Portsmouth firmly in control. Lincoln responded before the break when Reach's 20‑yard effort was judged to have been handled by defender Zak Swanson, resulting in a penalty. Reeco Hackett stepped up and coolly dispatched the spot‑kick, reducing the deficit to 2‑1 and giving the Imps a glimmer of hope heading into the interval.
Both sides created further chances in the remainder of the first half. Hackett and Varfolomeev each saw their attempts sail wide, while Wickens was forced to make a reflex save from a Bishop strike that forced another corner. The half ended with Portsmouth maintaining their two‑goal advantage, but Lincoln appeared poised to fight back.
The second half began with Darikwa forced off after ten minutes due to a knee injury, prompting a home debut for City's record signing Andrei Coubis. The change did little to alter the flow of the game, as both teams struggled to generate clear‑cut opportunities under the bright sun at the ProAmpac Stadium.
Around the hour mark, Wickens again denied Bishop with a crucial block, highlighting his importance to the Lincoln side. Portsmouth's breakthrough came when substitute Ebrima Adams was given space in the middle of the park.
He advanced and unleashed a spectacular 25‑yard strike that flew past Wickens into the net, extending the lead to 3‑1. The goal effectively settled the contest, though Segecic came close to adding a fourth in the dying minutes, his low shot being saved by Wickens.
Post‑match reactions reflected the mixed emotions of both camps. Lincoln manager expressed disappointment, noting that the team had dominated large portions of the first half but were let down by the goals they conceded.
He praised the performances of Freddy Draper and Ben House for creating problems for the opposition early on, yet warned that the defensive frailties that had plagued recent games needed urgent addressing. Portsmouth captain John Mousinho lauded his side's performance, emphasizing the significance of the win against a team that had amassed 103 points the previous season.
He highlighted the team's resilience against Lincoln's physical presence and their ability to break down the opposition with incisive attacking play. While acknowledging a few defensive lapses, Mousinho felt the overall display was a positive step forward for the club.
The victory not only gave Portsmouth their first three points of the season but also marked a milestone for Lincoln, who continue to chase their first win since re‑entering the Championship after a 60‑year absence. The match featured a blend of early goals, tactical adjustments, and a decisive substitute impact, illustrating the unpredictable nature of football at this level.
As the season progresses, both teams will look to build on the lessons learned—Portsmouth aiming to maintain consistency and Lincoln striving to convert early promise into tangible results.