Portsmouth secured their inaugural victory of the Championship campaign with a convincing 3-1 triumph at Lincoln's historic Sincil Bank ground. After dropping their opening 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 momentum they needed to dictate the tempo. The early goal came from a well‑crafted move that saw Kavuma‑McQueen receive the ball on the left side of the penalty area.
He cut inside and fired a low, precise shot that slipped under the outstretched hands of Portsmouth goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid and nestled into the bottom corner. That early breakthrough not only lifted the Pompey players but also forced Lincoln to chase the game from the outset. Just nine minutes later, Adrian Segecic doubled Portsmouth's advantage.
The Australian midfielder collected a second‑set‑piece delivery from Ivan Varfolomeev and, from the edge of the box, unleashed a powerful left‑footed free‑kick that curled past Lincoln keeper George Wickens into the top corner. The goal left the Imps staring at a 2-0 deficit and underscored Portsmouth's intent to bounce back from their poor start to the season. Lincoln, however, were not without response.
In the 32nd minute, Reeco Hackett stepped up to convert a penalty after referee adjudged that Lincoln defender Zak Swanson had handled a 20‑yard effort from Adam Reach. Hackett's calm finish from the spot reduced the deficit to 2-1 and injected a fresh surge of belief into the home side, who were still searching for their first win back in the second tier after more than six decades. The first half continued with both teams creating chances.
Lincoln earned a free‑kick just outside the box within two minutes of kickoff, but Reach's attempt was tipped over by Schmid. A subsequent corner from Varfolomeev was cleared, only for a second delivery to be met by captain Tendayi Darikwa, whose first‑time effort was deflected for another corner. Freddie Draper later set up Ben House, but House's shot lacked the necessary power and Schmid made an easy save. The second half began with Lincoln's skipper Darikwa forced off after a knee injury, prompting the debut of Portsmouth's record signing Andrei Coubis.
The match remained tightly contested around the hour mark, with both sides struggling to generate clear‑cut opportunities under the bright sun at the ProAmpac Stadium. It was a substitute, however, who ultimately sealed the result.
Ebrima Adams, given space in the middle of the park, surged forward and unleashed a spectacular 25‑yard strike that flew past Wickens and made the score 3-0 in the 69th minute. The goal effectively put the game beyond Lincoln's reach.
In the closing stages, Segecic came close to adding a fourth, his low drive being denied by a well‑timed save from Wickens. Despite the loss, Lincoln's manager praised his team's effort, noting that they had dominated large portions of the first half but were let down by the goals conceded. He highlighted the contributions of Freddy Draper and Ben House, who had caused defensive problems for Portsmouth early on, and stressed the need for greater defensive solidity in upcoming fixtures.
Portsmouth captain John Mousinho expressed satisfaction with the performance, emphasizing the team's resilience against a side that had amassed 103 points the previous season. He pointed out two key positives: the ability to absorb Lincoln's physical threat and the effectiveness of their attacking play once they settled into rhythm. While acknowledging a few defensive lapses, Mousinho concluded that the team had responded well to the challenge and secured the reaction they needed to move forward.
Overall, the match marked a turning point for Portsmouth, who now have three points from three games and can look ahead with renewed confidence. For Lincoln, the defeat extends their search for a first win at this level in over 60 years, underscoring the difficulty of adapting to the rigors of Championship football.
The result also provides a narrative of redemption for Portsmouth, who turned early setbacks into a decisive victory, showcasing both individual brilliance and collective resolve.