It is nine years now since Solly March first produced a super strike in pre-season after putting the ball on to his left foot just outside the penalty area.

The Hailsham wideman has come a long way since his spectacular goal in front of the North Stand that night against Norwich City.

Scoring the goal which secured promotion, for example, and establishing himself in the Premier League.

But even he has never had a summer from a starting position like this – mid-table in the Prem and knowing mighty Manchester United will be eyeing opening-day revenge for a mauling at the Amex when the new campaign kicks off in a national and international media spotlight.

March’s low drive from just outside the box proved to be the winner, for all that results matter, in their 2-1 friendly success at Reading.

It was not quite as spectacular as that strike against the Canaries in the summer of turmoil in 2013.

But it was perfectly-placed, capped a fine passing move by the dominant Seagulls and seemed to catch the keeper slightly by surprise.

March, like some of his colleagues, produced his best football last season in the closing weeks and believes that strong finish by the team can be relevant to what happens as the 2022-23 campaign gets under way.

He told The Argus: “I think that is what we are trying to do.

“We are trying to start as we left off, really. I think the confidence is still there and the intensity is still there.

“We have got to keep pushing and believe in ourselves again.

“The last seven or eight games, we looked good and could have beaten anyone, I think.

“We have just got to be confident and push ourselves again.”

As summers go, this has been pretty calm for Albion.

March said: “I think everyone has got to know each other well in a short period of time.

“There has only been three or four new faces so far and everyone has settled in and is enjoying their time here.

“That’s the key, staying together and being a team.

“I think we have done that well this pre-season.

“Maybe there will be a few more new faces, we don’t know, but they will settle in quickly.”

When he scored that rocket against Norwich, March was a young right winger.

His head coach at the time, Oscar Garcia, liked his potential but saw him possibly developing into a No.10 as he matured.

Instead, his niche has become wing-back, on either side.

He was on the right when he scored Saturday’s winner, having worked the left flank in the first half.

Both wing-backs were heavily involved in the first goal on 18 minutes.

March produced great skills to get to the byline and roll the ball across the face of goal.

It kissed the base of the far post but was chipped back across goal by Tariq Lamptey and headed home by Pascal Gross.

March’s development as a wing-back has been thrown into even sharper focus by Manchester City’s pursuit of Marc Cucurella.

But, even if Cucurella stays, his qualities in that role might be used with the Catalan operating on the left of the back three.

Alternatively, March is also at home on the right.

He said: “I think the wing-back role suits me well.

“I actually enjoy either side. I don’t see why you can’t change it up during games as well.

“Leo (Trossard) plays on the left, he can probably play on the right.

“T (Lamptey) can play on the right so, if it is not working, you can change it up in the game.

“Maybe that will make the opponents think in a different way.”

Outclassed Reading were suddenly thinking in a more positive way after a gift from Robert Sanchez led to them reducing arrears out of nothing.

Alexis Mac Allister fouled Tom Ince after the keeper gave the ball away and Yakou Meite confidently converted from the penalty spot.

Mac Allister was excellent again as a midfield pivot alongside Moises Caicedo, who saw a first-half shot deflect narrowly wide off a defender.

Kaoru Mitoma showed an eagerness to run at defenders and really should have been awarded a penalty when he was surely dragged down after scorching past his marker.

Albion might have made it 3-1 had the penalty been given and it would have been interesting to see who stepped up – Deniz Undav, maybe? Or perhaps Julio Enciso?

Potentially tougher examinations await against Brentford and Espanyol and that is exactly what Albion need at this juncture.

For now, March is playing better than ever and having the time of his life – nine years after that first impression.