Brighton and Hexham are set to lock horns this Sunday in a fixture that has the feel of a late season squeaky bum time encounter. Both sides know the...
Brighton and Hexham are set to lock horns this Sunday in a fixture that has the feel of a late season squeaky bum time encounter. Both sides know the value of three points here, and you can expect the intensity to be ratcheted up from the first whistle. For the home side, there is the added pressure of performing in front of their own support, a crowd that demands not just results but a bit of style too.When you look at the makeup of these two teams, you see a fascinating contrast in tactics. The visitors, Hexham, have built their reputation on a miserly low block, soaking up pressure and then hitting on the break with alarming speed. Their transitional play is a thing of menace, a well drilled machine that punishes any defensive lapse. Brighton, meanwhile, prefer to boss the ball, to patiently probe and prod until a gap appears. Their tactical flexibility has been their hallmark this season, capable of switching from a possession based game to a more direct approach when the situation demands it.What will be key here is the battle in the middle of the park. If Brighton can dominate that area, they can starve the Hexham forwards of service and force the visitors into a purely defensive posture. But if Hexham can nick a goal, perhaps from a set piece or a moment of clinical finishing, they have the resilience to shut up shop and make life desperately difficult for the home side. The question is, can Brighton's attackers find the sharpness to break down a team that has made a habit of parking the bus It is a genuine test of nerve and quality.Sunday's showdown has all the ingredients of a classic. It is not just about the league table, it is about pride and the simple, brutal arithmetic of the season. You can catch all the action live, exclusively on GoalZaza. Do not miss it.
