The Vase’s fastest goal may have been scored on Saturday.
Newport 4-1 Whitchurch United
The FA Carlsberg Vase
Saturday 4 September 2010
St. George's Park, Newport FC
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The FA believes that the fastest goal in FA Vase history may have been scored in a First Round Qualifying tie played on the Isle of Wight last Saturday.
Luke Walker, a midfielder with Whitchurch United, received a three-yard pass back from the centre mark and aimed a right-foot shot that flew over Newport (IW) ‘keeper Gary Streeter and was nestling in the net within
FIVE SECONDS of the kick-off.
This timing has been confirmed by match referee Alan Dawkins from Eastleigh, an official for 16 years.
Wessex League Whitchurch went on to lose the tie 4-1 but it will always be an afternoon to remember for Walker, a 24-year-old Pensions Administrator in his second season with the club after spells with Aldershot, Camberley, Tadley Calleva, Cove and Chertsey.
He takes up the story: “I always like to check how an opposing team is lining up for the kick-off and particularly where the goalkeeper is standing. I noticed the Newport goalie was near the penalty spot, so told them to play the ball back to me. They tried to put me off the idea but I was determined to have a go.
“I hit the ball sweetly with my right foot, hit it really straight and immediately thought it had a great chance of going in. When I saw the ball in the net, I didn’t know what to do. I ended up running to the bench and there was a lot of jumping about.
“Obviously football is a team game and I would rather we had won the match. I had another chance later on, a 25-yarder that the goalie parried. I was actually carrying an injury – some bruised ribs – but now I’m glad I made the trip out to the island. It’s a match I’ll never forget.”
There were 131 spectators inside St George’s Park to see history made and it would certainly help if someone happened to catch those first few minutes on film. Enquiries are being made.
The previous fastest Vase goal known was one after seven seconds, scored by Jason Jones for Nelson against Flixton in a Second Round Qualifying tie in 2005.
