Macclesfield 0-1 Brentford: Second-half own goal ends non-league side's FA Cup run
Brentford survived a spirited test from non-league Macclesfield at Moss Rose, scraping into the FA Cup fifth round after a 70th-minute own goal from Sam Heathcote. The narrow victory ends a five-month journey for Macclesfield that captured the imagination after their famous third-round success over the holders.
First-half fight, second-half finish
Macclesfield started like a side on a mission. The home team dominated possession early, pressing high and creating the better openings as Brentford's makeshift XI struggled to find a foothold. Isaac Buckley-Ricketts and captain Paul Dawson led a physical, direct approach that repeatedly unsettled the visitors; Dawson headed an early free-kick wide and came close on several occasions.
Brentford, who named a rotated side, looked sluggish and often hurried in possession in the opening 45 minutes. Their best moments were reactive rather than creative, with goalkeeper interventions and last-ditch defending keeping the tie level at the break.
The balance shifted after half-time. Brentford ramped up their intensity, piling on pressure with sustained spells of territory and a series of corners that Cain or chance might convert. The decisive moment arrived when Aaron Hickey delivered a dangerous cross from the left and, under pressure, Heathcote diverted the ball into his own net. Macclesfield pushed for an equaliser but were unable to find the breakthrough, and the Premier League side held on for a narrow passage into the next round.
Post-match reaction and consequences
Macclesfield's players and manager left the pitch to applause and sympathy from neutrals who had followed their cup exploits. Captain Paul Dawson said he was proud of the team’s efforts and spoke warmly about the experience of testing themselves against top-tier opposition, calling the run something that will "stick with the FA Cup, never mind the club. "
Brentford boss Keith Andrews hailed the toughness of the tie and acknowledged the challenge posed by a spirited non-league side. He said his side had to tighten the basics after a ragged first half and that the win owed much to persistence and a change of tempo. Teammates and staff were also praised for remaining composed amid a crowd that was clearly backing the underdogs.
There was a notable moment of sportsmanship after the game when John Rooney praised Andrews for taking time to speak to the visiting players in their dressing room, a gesture that underlined the mutual respect between the clubs after a hard-fought contest.
What comes next
Brentford will travel to rivals West Ham in the fifth round, a tie that represents a significant step up in profile and difficulty. For Macclesfield, the cup run brought national attention, boosted local pride, and will likely have long-term positive effects on the club’s profile and finances. While the exit is agonisingly close — decided by an unfortunate deflection rather than a comprehensive defeat — the campaign confirmed the enduring romance of the FA Cup and the capacity of lower-league clubs to captivate wider audiences.
Macclesfield’s journey, which began in September with early-round wins and peaked with the shock of knocking out the holders, may be over for now, but the memories and the boost to the club’s identity will endure.
