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A wonder-goal in extra-time from Sam Butler and a trademark Rob O’Hara penalty save secured a fine home victory for Whyteleafe on a night of drama and entertainment.
Fresh from an excellent away victory in the FA Trophy at Leighton Town three days earlier, manager Stuart Massey was forced to make a number of changes to his team with forwards Paul Scott and Danny Oakins reverting to the roles of centre-half, to great effect, whilst defender Ellis Conroy made his first start of the season after a long-term injury.
The hosts took an early lead after just nine minutes when Leon McDowall latched on to a Butler pass on the edge of the Met Police area and chipped the ball over the advancing keeper Will Packham. Shortly after, a speculative volley from the same player flashed narrowly wide of the post.
The visitors began to rally and in the 36th minute lively forward Frankie Sawyer cut in from the right wing to hit a low left-footed shot, pushed round his post by giant Leafe keeper Rob O’Hara. A minute later the equaliser came when a Rob Smith corner was poked home by Craig Wilkins.
After a quiet start to the second half the home side took the lead again on 58 minutes when Butler made a fine run to the by-line, his low cross fired home at the far post by Lee Sidwell. On the hour midfielder Vernon Francis was well placed to level the scores, but fired tamely at O’Hara with room to do better.
As the Met pressed harder some stoic defending by Scott and Conroy saw successive blocks in the area from Sawyer once again. The pressure kept building and deep in to time added on Met Captain Steve Sutherland saw a fierce drive deflected over for a corner. Keeper Packham advanced up field as the last throw of the dice and incredibly grabbed a 93rd minute equaliser to force extra time.
The pace of the game was a testament to both sets of players and the drama continued. On 100 minutes Sam Butler hit a sensational drive from fully 30 yards that curled and dipped to give the stranded Packham no chance and Leafe the lead once more.
Five minutes later the Police were awarded a penalty, rather generously some might say, for a trip in the area. Former Leafe favourite Rob Smith stepped up to take it, his low shot to the left brilliantly tipped around the post by the giant stopper. At the very end Butler almost grabbed a 4th Leafe goal, bursting through to face Packham one on one, the keeper managing to deflect the ball away for a corner.
Whyteleafe progressed to the next round and now face Walton & Hersham away in early December.
Whyteleafe: O’Hara, Aldous, Conroy (Williams 83 (Duff 105)), Coleman D, Oakins, Wilson, Sidwell, Hammond, McDowall, Scott, Butler. Subs not used: Guildford, Harmsworth, Dilley