TWO teams at the opposite end of the footballing spectrum – Alpha United under-14s and NBK-Fairbank United over-35s – have qualified for the regional finals of the FA People's Cup.

Alpha United, who have already been recognised by the FA for their pioneering work in BD7, opened up their five-a-side qualifier at GOALS Soccer Leeds with comfortable group victories over two Phoenix Juniors teams.

Alpha keeper Bashar Elbakry did not touch the ball in either game as Shaaf Ahmed and Zaryab-Ali Rasheed got their share of goals at the other end, backed up by Haroon Shiraz and Zain Ul Abidin.

Another victory over FC United meant that they topped their table but the semi-final was on a knife-edge at 1-1 until Reinis Druskins finished neatly across the goalkeeper and Tauheed Latif then sealed Alpha's place in the final from Druskins' quick free-kick.

The decider was tightly fought with few chances until Rasheed gave the ball to Latif, who quickly swivelled to score in the bottom corner.

Ahmed then secured victory following a brilliant solo run to put them into this weekend's regional finals.

NBK-Fairbank United had been to Wembley ten years ago, and started on the road to a repeat appearance at the national stadium by also winning their heat at Kirkstall.

Three wins, including a 2-1 triumph over Heckmondwike, and a draw meant that they cruised through their group before facing Woodlesford in the semi-finals.

NBK-Fairbank United captain Akif Waseem got the only goal of the game to put them into the final against the Famous Fives in what was a repeat from last year's group stages.

Then the Famous Fives had won 6-1 but they found NBK keeper Mohammed Shakeel in outstanding form this time around.

He kept the Fives forwards at bay almost single handedly with a series of sensational saves, and the match went into extra-time with no goals having been scored, despite NBK being on the back foot for large parts of the contest.

However, Shakeel then repeated his heroics, saving two of the Fives' three spot-kicks to put his team through.

This is the third year in succession that NBK-Fairbank United have won the Leeds-Bradford heat, and Shakeel, one of the survivors from the Wembley experience of a decade ago, was philosophical after the victory.

He said: "There is a long way to go in the tournament, and it will take an enormous amount of luck to get to Wembley.

"The bodies will ache for a few days after the effort everyone put in as we are all a bit older, but we still dare to dream of a return.”

The FA People’s Cup is run in partnership with the FA and BBC's Get Inspired.

Last year, 35,000 people took part, making it the largest five-a-side competition in the country.