A Northern Premier League side can lay claim to a new record after scoring twice in the first 47 seconds of their match last week.

The fastest goal that has ever been advised to The FA was Marc Burrows' for Cowes Sports Reserves v Eastleigh Reserves in a Wessex League Combination fixture at Westwood Park on 3 April 2004.

Marc's goal from the centre circle for the Isle of Wight team was timed by the referee at 2.5 seconds. It was said to be a windy afternoon!

April seems to be a good month for early strikes, because one team last week was 2-0 up after 47 seconds' play. Lee Novak gave Newcastle Blue Star the lead after just four seconds of their Northern Premier League Division One North match with Bamber Bridge last Wednesday (9 April) and David McTiernan made it two after 47 seconds.

In the circumstances a final scoreline of 3-0 in Blue Star's favour was perhaps surprising.

Colin Cowperthwaite reputedly scored after 3.5 seconds for Barrow v Kettering in an Alliance Premier League fixture in 1979 and goals after four seconds were claimed by Jim Fryatt (for Bradford Park Avenue v Tranmere in 1965) and Gerry Allen (for Whitstable v Danson in 1989).

Newcastle Blue Star may have set a record from the kick-off last week, but one team technically scored twice in nine seconds! Jamie Bates, with the last kick of the first half, and Jermaine McSporran, nine seconds into the second half, were on target for Wycombe in their Division Two match at home to Peterborough in 2000.