Macclesfield 0-1 Brentford: Premier League side edge past non-league Macclesfield as own goal decides tie
Brentford scraped past spirited non-league Macclesfield 1-0 at Moss Rose in the FA Cup fourth round on Tuesday evening (ET) when Sam Heathcote diverted a cross into his own net. The result ends a memorable cup run for John Rooney’s part-timers, who had earlier stunned holders Crystal Palace.
How the tie unfolded
From the first whistle Macclesfield set the tone, matching their previous giant-killing by dominating possession and tempo in the opening half. The hometown side, boosted by the confidence that accompanied their third-round victory over the top-flight champions, were first to most loose balls and created the clearer early openings. Isaac Buckley-Ricketts and Paul Dawson – both key figures in the Palace win – combined to threaten inside the opening minutes, with Dawson heading a free-kick narrowly over.
Brentford, who made several changes to their starting XI, struggled to settle and were frequently hurried into mistakes by Macclesfield’s intensity. The visitors’ passing looked laboured at times, and their early game plan relied heavily on transitions down the wings rather than sustained pressure through the centre. A couple of half-chances arrived from set pieces and a wayward header, but the half-time scoreline remained goalless, flattering the visitors given the home side’s sharper moments.
The pattern shifted after the break as Brentford gradually grew into the contest. They pushed higher up the pitch, won repeated corners and began to pin Macclesfield back. Sustained pressure eventually forced the breakthrough in the 70th minute when Aaron Hickey’s left-sided delivery found its way into a dangerous area and Sam Heathcote, in trying to intercept, glanced the ball past his own goalkeeper.
Macclesfield attempted a late response, but Brentford’s bodies were well-positioned to snuff out attacks and see out the closing stages. For the visitors the win was ultimately narrow but sufficient: progress to the fifth round and a trip to London rivals awaits.
Reaction and implications
Macclesfield captain Paul Dawson praised his squad’s collective effort after the match, saying he was proud of every player and the run they had produced. The captain reflected on the experience of testing themselves against top-level professionals and insisted the cup run would remain a defining moment for the club and the town.
Brentford’s manager acknowledged it was a tougher night than some had expected. He highlighted the challenge posed by the surface and the opponents’ energy, noting tweaks at half-time helped his side control the second period. He also pointed to the unusual atmosphere of being a higher-ranked team that felt, at times, like the underdog in the face of a passionate local support.
The victory sets up a fifth-round tie at West Ham, a fixture that returns Brentford to a higher-stakes stage and a tougher travel test. For Macclesfield, the curtain falls on a campaign that began in September with a preliminary-round win and gathered national attention as the club toppled elite opposition. That run has won the part-timers new admirers and will leave a lasting legacy for players, staff and supporters.
Despite the heartbreak of the decisive own goal, Macclesfield’s players departed Moss Rose with heads held high. Their performance underlined the enduring romance of the cup — where lower-league belief can unsettle the established order and produce moments that live long in the memory.
