Berkhamsted 0-3 Metropolitan Police
The FA Cup with Budweiser
Second Round Qualifying
Saturday 22 September 2012
Winning clubs receive £4500 from The FA's prize fund
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Berkhamsted almost pulled off a smash and grab operation to upset the Met Police in a pulsating FA Cup tie.

But, after fighting the law in our Road to Wembley feature match, the law won - and rightly so.

The men from the Met were down to ten men and faced a penalty with the match still warming up.

But they survived those first half scares to score three after the break and they ultimately ran out worthy winners.

The Metropolitan Police's captain Steve Sutherland saw red after 25 minutes and then they lost goalkeeper Jamie Butler to injury, but only after he had saved a spot-kick.

Police manager Jim Cooper worked his magic at half-time, though, and the goals came after the break through a Jonte Smith double and one from James Tyrell.

Cooper said: "We were billed as favourites coming into this match, but I think the roles were almost reversed by half-time and that is what I told the players.

"It had been backs to the wall stuff for a while, but we killed the game off with two goals inside the first 20 minutes of the second half."

Berkhamsted, from the Spartan South Midlands Football League Premier Division, were enjoying only their second run in The Cup since reforming as a club and put up a brave fight against their Isthmian Premier League visitors.

But class told and now Cooper is targeting a run to claim some bigger scalps.

He concluded: "I would like to think we can reach the First Round Proper, but I am just delighted to be in the hat for Monday's draw right now.

"The FA Cup is a great competition to be involved in and we are happy to still be in it."

You can watch highlights from the game in the FATV player above.