THOSE hoping for an early finish in the recent inter-league representative game were out of luck, but the Lancashire Amateur League side did eventually come out on top.

Steve Eccleshall's LAL team beat their Lancashire and Cheshire League counterparts in a nerve-shredding penalty shoot-out that took a dozen penalties to decide the winner.

Few meetings in the 96-year long rivalry can have taken so long to determine who would collect the trophy but although the emphasis is on mutual respect and camaraderie it was a hugely satisfying victory for the LAL, who progressed via invitation to the Inter-League FA Cup, a tournament played over a two-year period..

The two teams were playing at Bolton Lads and Girls Club in an annual event with the John Howard Shield at stake and, after taking the lead three times but being pegged back each time, the shoot-out went right through each line-up before LAL captain David Warburton scored the decider.

Warburton's Old Bolts team mate Darren Dalton had netted first, eight minutes into the match, being gifted an open goal after a mix-up in the L and C defence. However, the lead lasted just a few minutes as the visitors struck back.

Little Lever's Jack Coop looked to have given his side a half-time lead with a delightful lob on 43 minutes but a deflected shot made it 2-2 on the stroke of the interval.

Another of Old Boltonians' manager Eccleshall's player, Lee Worswick, scored the LAL's third goal as his cross was misjudged by the opposition goalkeeper, who watched as it sailed over his head and into the goal. But a third equaliser for the L and C team sent the match straight to penalties.

Each side scored their first six spot-kicks and, as the decider went to sudden death, two misses per side added to the drama. One successful conversion and two failed attempts from each side followed before an L and C miss handed Warburton the chance to settle matters, which he did by netting their 12th penalty.

Jon Twist, from the LAL committee, said: “We are delighted to have won the John Howard trophy after what was an entertaining game and a bizarrely long penalty shoot-out. Steve did an excellent job bringing the players from a number of top teams in the LAL together.

"The players themselves performed well against a talented L and C side and we look forward to competing in the Inter-League Cup, as we have been honoured to have been invited to compete in that tournament once again.

“I would like to thank all those who have given up their time such as the referee Craig Littler and special thanks go to James and Andrew for their hospitality on the evening and for providing the venue for the game, Bolton Lads and Girls Club’s excellent facility at Hacken Lane.”

Terry Qualters – Failsworth Dynamos

Damian Cottier - Failsworth Dynamos

Ashley Shenton – Failsworth Dynamos

Matt Buckley – Rochdale St Clements

Chris Benson – Old Boltonians

Liam Foster - Horwich St Mary's Victoria

Michael Woolfe - Failsworth Dynamos

Tom Stuttard - Failsworth Dynamos

Dave Warburton – Old Boltonians

Tom Allcroft – Old Boltonians

Corey Hemsley-James – Old Boltonians

Jack Coop – Little Lever SC

Leon Farrimond – Old Boltonians

Lucas Gaynor – Old Boltonians

Lee Worswick – Old Boltonians

Darren Dalton – Old Boltonians