AN amateur footballer could be heading for the record books after he hit the back of the net within two seconds of the kick-off.

Butcher Nigel Hammond scored the wonder-goal at the start of Askrigg's 8-0 thrashing of Spennithorne, in the Wensleydale Creamery Lea-gue, last Saturday.

The 44-year-old veteran striker bought new boots for the start of the season and believes they have brought him luck.

He said: "I thought I would get a new pair as I said this would be my last season.

"But then I have said that before."

Referee Chris Ryan, of Leyburn, said the goal was amazing.

He said: "I looked at both goalies, they gave me the thumbs-up, I blew the whistle and started the watch.

"Nigel just hit the ball and it went straight over the top and over the goal-line.

"I hadn't even taken my eyes off the watch."

Team mates are now checking whether the goal qualifies for the Guinness Book of Records.

Although Mr Ryan has verified the time, the team believes video evidence may be needed for the goal to count.

Unfortunately, the game was not filmed.

The current record is 2.8 seconds, scored by Argentinian Ricardo Olivera, who was playing for Rio Negro against Soriano on Boxing Day, 1998.