SALE FC did the Manchester Publicity SFL proud by winning the prestigious Manchester FA Shield in a dramatic finale to County FA soccer at Brantingham Road.

It is the first time that a side from the MPSL has reached the final and Sale, very much a family concern, went one stage further by winning a dramatic penalty shootout against Charlestown CYC at the end of extra time.

The club is managed by Phil Howard, whose dad Pete is club secretary, while son Chris played his part in the win.

The scores were locked at 1-1 after extra time after Sale had hit back to level Charlestown CYC’s first-half strike through Mark Goodson.

Sale keeper Steve Nihill saved the first spot kick and then Chris Howard, Mark Hughes, Matthew Simpson, Michael Lee and Shane Goldrick all converted theirs to win the shootout 5-3.

Phil Howard said: "If anyone had told me as recently as two months ago that we’d win the County Shield, I’d have said they were barmy.

"This achievement exceeds my wildest expectations, but I don’t think anyone could say we haven’t deserved it."