REGULAR Furness five-a-side league winners Instant Noodles’ dream of lifting a trophy at Wembley came to an agonising end after they were defeated in the FA People’s Cup regional final in Manchester.

Going in full of confidence having dominated the opening event in Blackpool, Noodles produced a number of impressive displays against teams featuring five-a-side internationals to take themselves within one victory of the grand final in Birmingham.

However, the Barrow team ran out of gas having played without any substitutes throughout the tournament, a 3-1 defeat to a very good Back of the Net outfit ending their chances of glory.

Noodles’ hopes of going all the way suffered a major blow before a ball was kicked when star man Liam Shields was ruled out with injury, meaning they would have to go all the way with just five players.

They could not have asked for a tougher start, as they came up against Lallanas in Pyjamas, semi-finalists at this stage last year.

An early double from Jordan Chubb had Noodles flying, before Lallanas came roaring back to level.

Chubb put Noodles back in front, before a late Brad Jackson strike secured a 4-2 victory.

The step-up in class from the previous stage was shown in their next game as they suffered their first defeat of the entire tournament, going down 3-2 against Norfolk.

Another two from the clinical Chubb looked like it would get them a point after trailing for most of the contest, but a last-minute winner gave Norfolk victory.

With only the top two going through in a group of six, it was vital Noodles did not drop any more points, a task made difficult by the fact their next game was against a very strong Bayern Neverlousen.

In a nervy encounter, with both sides needing a win, brilliant work at the back from keeper Luke Duncalf and defender Dylan Wassell kept Bayern at bay, and a sole strike from skipper Joshua Jones was enough to give Noodles three points.

Noodles were flying from that moment, romping to a 6-1 win against Oldham FC, with goals from Chubb (2), Jackson (2) and Jones (2), followed by a 3-1 victory against RMJ Academy, thanks to another two from Jackson and a Chubb strike.

That surge in form saw them top the group, setting up a quarter-final with AFC Beakachu.

They got off to the worst possible start, conceding twice in the first minute, and just when it seemed Jackson had got them back in the game by making it 2-1, Beakachu instantly restored their two-goal advantage.

Facing an early exit seemed to wake Noodles from their slumber as two more goals from Jackson and three from Jones saw them comfortably through 6-3.

In the semi-final against Preston, Noodles were under the cosh in the early moments, Duncalf pulling off a number of great saves.

Having ridden the storm, Noodles started to find their groove, Jones putting them 1-0 up before further Jackson and Chubb strikes had them in command.

Preston got one back in the final minutes to set up a nervy finish, Jones and Wassell required to make key blocks to ensure the game was safe and send them through to the final against Back of the Net, defending regional champions and pre-tournament favourites.

Noodles started well, Chubb, Jackson, Jones and Wassell all missing good chances before they were hit with a quick-fire double.

A stunning solo goal sealed the game for Back of the Net, a consolation from Jones not enough to complete what would have been a stunning comeback.