Macclesfield 0-1 Brentford: Premier League side edge past non-league Macclesfield in FA Cup fourth round
Brentford survived a stern test from National League North outfit Macclesfield to progress to the FA Cup fifth round after a 1-0 win decided by a second-half own goal. The result ends Macclesfield's memorable run, which included an upset of the holders, but the part-timers left Moss Rose with wide praise for their spirit and performance.
Late deflection settles tight contest
The decisive moment arrived in the 70th minute when a cross from Aaron Hickey flashed into the box and Sam Heathcote inadvertently turned the ball past his own goalkeeper. Prior to that, Macclesfield had dominated the first half and repeatedly threatened to take the lead, with captain Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts both going close in the early exchanges.
Brentford, who made several changes to their starting XI, found the pitch and the intensity of the tie trickier than anticipated. They grew into the game after the break, stringing together sustained pressure through a succession of corners and crosses until fortune — and a lapse of concentration — forced Macclesfield onto the back foot.
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews admitted the match presented a difficult challenge. He praised Macclesfield's organisation and spirit while acknowledging his side had to work hard and make tactical adjustments at half-time to gain control in the second half. The victory sends Brentford on to a fifth-round trip to West Ham.
Macclesfield's fairytale run ends but leaves a mark
John Rooney's part-time squad leaves the competition with their reputation enhanced. The club's route to the fourth round began back in September and included a famous victory over the holders in the previous round, a result that captured attention well beyond their league standing.
Captain Paul Dawson summed up the mood after the final whistle: "I am proud of every single one of them. The shift we put in against Palace and then again today, as an achievement. It's disappointing to lose but that's football. " His words reflected a wider sentiment among the home support, who applauded their team off having delivered a performance that defied the gulf in divisions.
Macclesfield offered intensity and tactical discipline from the first whistle, pressing the visitors, closing passing lanes and creating the clearest first-half openings. Their persistence made Brentford work for every yard of territory and ensured the contest remained a proper cup tie until the very end.
Reaction and what's next
Andrews described the evening as a tough test and praised the phoenix club's journey back up the pyramid following its rebirth. He noted that fixtures like this are a reminder of what the competition means to clubs and communities, praising the togetherness and work behind Macclesfield's rise.
For Brentford, progression brings a high-profile away trip next, while the visitors will return to their league schedule buoyed by a cup run that will be remembered in the town for years. Macclesfield's players and staff have earned new admirers across the game for the way they have matched bigger opponents and carried themselves throughout this FA Cup adventure.
On a night when the margins were slim, an unlucky deflection was the difference between advancing and bowing out. For Macclesfield, the journey may have ended, but the headlines they created and the memories for supporters will linger long after the final whistle.
