Gibraltar double for Rock Cup winners Lincoln

Lincoln FC completed their second straight Gibraltarian double with a 4-1 defeat of Lynx FC in the Rock Cup final.

Having wrapped up their 13th successive Premier League title, Lincoln made it ten doubles in that time against a side contesting their first final. Their win means College Europa FC – second in the top flight – will take Gibraltar's UEFA Europa League first qualifying round place, just as they did last year.

Lynx got off to a blistering start, taking a fifth-minute lead with a close-range finish by captain Leonardo Vela. Lincoln equalised shortly after thanks to an audacious back-heel volley from John Paul Duarte and the forward then grabbed his second, capitalising on a poor back pass to steal in and knock the ball into an empty net.

Though Lynx pushed hard, their hopes were shattered by Liam Walker who rifled Lincoln's third of the game, a sublime right-foot finish, into the top corner. Walker was then on hand to cap a deserved victory.

"A hard-fought victory despite the result," was the summary of Lincoln coach Raul Procopio. "We started badly by conceding so soon in the game but the team overcame this early setback. Our play wasn't as fluid as it has been at times this season but we were clinical in front of goal which made the difference. This success is another small step towards our preparation for the Champions League qualifiers and will give us more confidence, if there is room for any more!"

Duarte added: "Winning the Rock Cup is a great achievement by the whole club, especially after winning the league. Scoring two goals in the final is always special and I couldn't have asked for a better way to end what has been a highly successful season."