Full Report

Second-half goals from Gabri Cardozo and Álvaro Romero secured a 2-0 victory over Europa FC as the Imps returned to winning ways ahead of their UEFA Conference League opener next week.

The Imps started the stronger of the two sides and thought they had taken the lead in the 19th minute. A well-worked team move was finished off by Kike from close range, but the linesman raised his flag for offside.

We had another goal ruled out shortly afterwards, this time when Bernardo Lopes found the back of the net, only for the referee to penalise Christian Rutjens for an apparent foul inside the penalty area.

There was a worrying moment for Juanma Pavón midway through the first half when Bernardo Lopes was forced off and headed straight towards the changing room. The Imps will be hoping the injury is nothing serious, particularly with our UEFA Conference League campaign set to begin in Norway next week.

Alex Mula came close to breaking the deadlock with a long-range effort, but his strike was kept out by Europa goalkeeper Christian Lopez as both sides went into the break level.

Pavón made his second substitution at half-time, introducing Yussef Flalhi in place of Alex Mula, and it wasn't long before the Imps made their breakthrough.

Just three minutes after the restart, Mandi delivered a cross towards the back post, where Christian Rutjens rose highest to head the ball back across goal. Gabri Cardozo was perfectly positioned to bundle the ball over the line from close range and give the Imps a deserved lead.

The Imps wasted little time in doubling their advantage, striking again just two minutes later. Yussef Flalhi made an excellent run into the penalty area before delivering a low cross into the path of the unmarked Álvaro Romero, who made no mistake from close range, firing home his first goal in a Lincoln shirt to make it 2-0.

There was positive news for the Imps on the hour mark as Toni García made his long-awaited return from injury, replacing Mandi after being sidelined since late July.

At the other end, Jaylan Hankins was called into action late in the game and produced a fantastic double save to preserve his clean sheet. The goalkeeper continued his impressive form following a strong showing for the Gibraltar National Team during the recent international break.

The victory provides the perfect confidence boost for the Imps as attention now turns to European football. Juanma Pavón's side travel to Norway next week to face SK Brann on Thursday in their opening fixture of the UEFA Conference League league phase, looking to carry this winning momentum onto the European stage.