Portsmouth secured their inaugural victory of the Championship campaign with a convincing 3-1 win against Lincoln at the historic Sincil Bank stadium. After dropping their first two fixtures by identical scorelines, the visitors found themselves under pressure early in the match, but a swift seventh‑minute strike from Ryan Kavuma‑McQueen gave them the initiative and set the tone for the rest of the afternoon. The opening goal came almost as soon as the ball was in play.
Portsmouth’s first attack was a well‑orchestrated move that saw Kavuma‑McQueen receive the ball on the left side of the penalty area. He cut inside and fired a low, driven shot that slipped beneath the outstretched hand of Lincoln goalkeeper George Wickens and nestled in the bottom corner.
The early lead lifted the Pompey players and supporters alike, providing a psychological edge that would prove decisive. Just nine minutes later, Adrian Segecic doubled the lead.
The Australian midfielder collected a second‑set‑piece from a corner delivered by Ivan Varfolomeev and, without hesitation, unleashed a powerful left‑footed free‑kick from the edge of the box. The ball swerved past Wickens and into the net, making it 2‑0 and putting the Imps under immediate pressure to respond. Lincoln, however, refused to capitulate.
Their persistence paid off just before the half‑hour mark when Reeco Hackett stepped up to the penalty spot. After a contentious decision saw Adam Reach’s 20‑yard effort ruled a handball by Lincoln defender Zak Swanson, Hackett calmly slotted the penalty home, reducing the deficit to 2‑1 and injecting a renewed sense of belief into the home crowd. The remainder of the first half was a tight affair, with both sides creating chances but failing to find the back of the net. Lincoln earned a free‑kick just outside the box within two minutes of kickoff, but Portsmouth goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid tipped the effort over the bar.
Subsequent set‑pieces saw the ball bounce around the penalty area, with Tendayi Darikwa’s first‑time effort being deflected for a corner and Ben House’s shot saved comfortably by Schmid. The second half began with Lincoln forced to make an early substitution when Darikwa suffered a knee injury ten minutes in. This opened the door for Andrei Coubis, the club’s record signing, to make his home debut.
Despite the fresh legs, the Imps struggled to create clear-cut opportunities as the sun shone brightly over the ProAmpac Stadium, and Portsmouth’s defence held firm. Portsmouth’s breakthrough came in the 69th minute when substitute Ebrima Adams was given space in the middle of the pitch. He took advantage of the opening, driving forward and unleashing a stunning 25‑yard strike that flew past Wickens into the net, making the score 3‑1 and effectively sealing the win for the visitors. Adams’ goal was a testament to his composure and technical ability, providing the final piece needed to complete the comeback.
Segecic nearly added a fourth goal in the closing stages, but his low drive was saved by Wickens, who managed to keep a clean sheet despite the early concession. The match ended 3‑1 in Portsmouth’s favour, marking their first three points of the season and leaving Lincoln still searching for their first win since returning to the second tier after more than six decades. Post‑match reactions highlighted the mixed emotions surrounding the result.
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 troubling the opposition defence but warned that the side could not continue to allow so many goals. Portsmouth captain John Mousinho was upbeat, describing the performance as “excellent” given the context of facing a side that had amassed 103 points the previous season.
He highlighted the team’s resilience against Lincoln’s physicality and their ability to break down the opposition’s lines when they settled into their rhythm. While acknowledging a few defensive lapses, Mousinho felt the overall display was a positive step forward for the club. In summary, the match provided a vivid illustration of how early goals can shape a game’s narrative, how tactical adjustments and impactful substitutions can turn the tide, and how both teams will need to reflect on their performances as the Championship season progresses.
Portsmouth’s victory not only earned them three vital points but also restored confidence after a shaky start, while Lincoln must regroup and find a way to convert their early dominance into tangible results as they continue their long‑awaited return to second‑tier football.