KEVIN Inglis can lay claim to the fastest Ridgeons League goal straight from a kick-off - and one of the quickest route one goals of all time.The Whitton United midfielder was credited with a time of under four seconds when he netted with the first touch of the second half of the First Division game at Haverhill Rovers on November 11.

By Elvin King

KEVIN Inglis can lay claim to the fastest Ridgeons League goal straight from a kick-off - and one of the quickest route one goals of all time.

The Whitton United midfielder was credited with a time of under four seconds when he netted with the first touch of the second half of the First Division game at Haverhill Rovers on November 11.

The Football Association show the fastest goal in their records as being two-and-a-half seconds achieved in an amateur match.

Inglis, who hails from Glasgow and came to Suffolk to join the trainee playing staff at Ipswich Town, has been angling to achieve this feat since he struck a post from the kick-off when playing for the Blues youth team against Cambridge United.

The 26-year-old explained how his goal against Haverhill came about: “I looked up as we went to re-start after the interval and noticed their keeper was on the 18-yard line.

“I asked Gavin Crane, who was set to kick-off, to keep his head down so as not to give the game away.

“I told Gavin that I would take a shot, and when the whistle blew he moved aside and I connected perfectly.

“The keeper back-pedalled, but could not make any contact with the ball.

“Since striking the post for Ipswich I have kept practising.

“I did score with a half-volley from the halfway line playing for Witham against Billericay and also from long distance for Stanway Rovers against Woodbridge Town.

“But this was my first time from a kick-off. It was particularly pleasing as it had a vital effect on the game as the goal put us 2-1 ahead in a match that we went on to win 3-2. Haverhill had beaten us 6-0 earlier in the season.”

Inglis, who ended up with two goals in the game, played a number of games for Ipswich reserves before leaving the staff at Portman Road aged 20.

His one first-team appearance was in a pre-season friendly at St Albans.

He spent a year back in Glasgow - the 'Green side' - before returning to live in Suffolk and playing for a number of clubs including Leiston and Needham Market last season.

Enjoying his football with Whitton United, Inglis can see the Ipswich-based club moving up the table to finish in a top three promotion position.

“We have got the squad that we need, and this month's signing of Gavin (Crane) is a positive sign and one that shows the club means business,” added Inglis.

“Gavin will score you 20 goals a season, and he will have the service from midfield to help him achieve this.”

Whitton have Newcastle United star Kieron Dyer as their main sponsor and this has enabled player manager Ronnie Mauge to put together a competitive squad.

“It was a big blow to go out of the Suffolk Senior Cup to Cornard on Saturday, but it does mean we can now concentrate on the league,” added the fast-scoring Inglis.