Solly March is consoled by team-mates at Wembley (Picture: Getty Images)
Solly March is as quintessentially Brighton as mods in Fred Perry polos, fish ‘n’ chips on the pier and a summer stroll around the Lanes.
Born down the Sussex coast at Eastbourne, he started his career just up the road at non-league Lewes before being swiftly signed by the Seagulls 12 years ago and he has been a fixture with them ever since.
March may not be one of the Premier League’s most flamboyant types but he’s as solid as the rock sold in seafront shops which leave customers more than satisfied with their purchase.
So it was no surprise the 28-year-old winger was distraught when he missed the spot-kick in Brighton’s nerve-jangling penalty shootout in the FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United.
Football often delivers a swift chance for redemption, however, and less than two weeks after the devastating loss the Seagulls can gain revenge against Erik ten Hag and his men for dashing their FA Cup dreams on Thursday.
March and his team-mates will also be licking their lips at the opportunity to land a victory which can solidify their attempt to secure European football next season.
The Seagulls are in eighth place, two points behind Tottenham and Aston Villa with a couple of games in hand, but face a tough final stretch with trips to Arsenal, Newcastle and Villa with Manchester City yet to travel down to Sussex.
Solly March can bag his ninth goal of the season (Picture: Getty Images)
They should take full points off Everton and Southampton at home and need to beat a United side which is not really firing on all cylinders.
The Red Devils had to settle for a point at Tottenham after going a couple of goals up, then made hard work of beating spirited Villa with the only goal of the game at Old Trafford. They look vulnerable.
Brighton, fresh off a 6-0 yahoo at home to Wolves, are 21/20 to win with Betfred while March is 7/2 to score a goal that only travelling Reds fans or the cold-hearted would begrudge.
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Only United fans or the cold-hearted would begrudge a goal for Solly March.