Will Lankshear marked his first appearance with a goal as Middlesbrough opened their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Wrexham in the first round of the Carabao Cup. The £10m summer arrival from Tottenham settled the contest in the 61st minute with an outstanding first-time volley.
Middlesbrough nearly took the lead after seven minutes when Adilson Malanda redirected Sebastian Berhalter’s delivery towards goal from close range, but Danny Ward produced an excellent reflex save to keep it out.
Danny Imray missed a promising opportunity for Wrexham after failing to connect cleanly with Callum Doyle’s cross. The visitors threatened again six minutes before half-time when Nathan Broadhead released Sam Smith into space, only for the forward’s low effort to strike the legs of Sol Brynn.
Lankshear curled a shot narrowly over the crossbar early in the second half, but the 21-year-old soon found his first goal for Boro. Leo Castledine nodded Jeremy Sarmiento’s cross into the striker’s path, allowing him to turn sharply and guide a brilliant first-time volley into the far corner.
Boro came close to adding a second goal with three minutes left, but Morgan Whittaker’s low attempt bounced back off the post.
Following the match, Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg praised the immediate influence Lankshear has had since arriving at the club. “He delivered an excellent performance, but what has impressed me most is the way he applies himself in training,” Hellberg said. “He works extremely hard and is always eager to improve.
“Watching that attitude is a pleasure. When you combine his character with the ability he shows on the pitch, you have a very talented striker. I’m delighted he is part of the team.”
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson believed his players performed well despite having returned from a pre-season tour of the United States only four days earlier. “We created enough promising openings, especially before half-time, to give ourselves a chance of advancing,” Parkinson said. “The difference was one excellent finish from their player. Our approach play was encouraging, but we lacked the decisive touch in front of goal.
“Returning from America on Monday made this a demanding fixture, so the players deserve credit for pushing the match so close. There were plenty of encouraging signs in the performance.”
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