Five-goal HB hold off Lincoln comeback

HB Tórshavn had too much firepower for Lincoln FC as the Faroese team completed a 6-3 aggregate triumph in their UEFA Champions League first qualifying round tie.

Strikes from Levi Hanssen, Tróndur Jensen and Jóan Edmundsson appeared to have things sewn up after 34 minutes, but second-half efforts from George Cabrera and John Paul Duarte pulled the Gibraltarian outfit to within a goal of progression. However, Hanssen and Fródi Benjaminsen ensured the home side completed the task.

Hanssen set the ball rolling on 11 minutes after fine work from Benjaminsen, and the midfielder also set up the second for Jensen (25), who hammered in off the crossbar. Lincoln's defence and goalkeeper Jordan Perez were culpable for the third goal, scored by Edmundsson on 34 minutes.

With the game seemingly over the visitors breathed life back into the tie as Joseph Chipolina set up two goals, his cut-back buried by Cabrera (50) then another pass tapped in by Duarte.

HB held their nerve, though, and added two more goals in the final nine minutes, René Joensen setting up Hanssen for number four and captain Benjaminsen claiming the fifth. Hedin Askham's men now face FK Partizan, with the away leg taking place next week.