Macclesfield 0-1 Brentford: Own goal ends Silkmen’s famous FA Cup run | OneFootball

An own-goal from centre-back Sam Heathcote brought non-league Macclesfield Town’s FA Cup fairytale to a cruel end in the Fourth Round as they fought bravely to a 1-0 defeat against Brentford at the Leasing.com stadium.

The phoenix club held out for 70 minutes until Aaron Hickey’s wicked cross from the left was turned into the net past an in-form Max Dearnley, after they had started the game brightest.

Keith Andrew’s men survived a late penalty scare as the ball came off of the hand of Michael Kayode, but the Bees prevented John Rooney’s side from making history as the only club to ever knock out two top-flight sides.

As it happened

Macclesfield embraced the FA Cup spirit again and came flying out the blocks, as their unmarked captain Paul Dawson headed over a free kick from inside the penalty area just two minutes in.

Young Brentford winger Romelle Donovan then rolled a sloppy pass across the edge of his own box and straight into the path of Luke Duffy, and his shot wasn’t far over the crossbar.

Yehor Yarmoulik was given very little time in the middle and eventually lost it on halfway, as the hosts worked it to Dawson again – his fierce low shot ran just wide of the post, with half the ground believing it was in.

The phoenix club hosts looked nervy when a goalmouth scramble ensued 20 minutes in, but a body in red and white ended up getting in the way of the shot from point blank range.

Brentford enjoyed a good spell on the ball, as could’ve been expected, but had to wait half an hour for an opening when Aaron Hickey picked out Reiss Nelson from the left, and his shot was well parried by Dearnley.

There was no way through for Keith Andrew’s side before half time, at which the Silkmen were applauded off for putting their fearless attitude on full show once more against Premier League opposition.

Macclesfield’s assistant manager Francis Jeffers, formerly of Everton and Arsenal, called upon John Rooney’s players to stay switched on and maintain the level of the first half in an interview with TNT Sports during the interval.

Brentford came close as Michael Kayode lashed a cross in from the right byline and Donovan tried to flick it on across the face of goal but Borthwick Jackson, who was without a club for 17 months before joining the Silkmen, steered it behind.

It was very much a repeat from a corner on the left hand side, but Hickey just couldn’t reach it at the back post as the hour mark drew near.

Dearnley was called into action once again to tip over Jensen’s looping ball from halfway inside Macclesfield territory, as the corner was dealt with confidently again.

But all of Macclesfield’s hard work was undone in a horror moment for centre-back Sam Heathcote, desperately throwing himself at Hickey’s cross after a smart run on the underlap to meet Keane Lewis-Potter’s through ball.

The ball flew past his goalkeeper and into the net right in front of the away supporters.

With under 10 minutes left the Leasing.com stadium was sent into raptures as the shot from striker D’Mani Bughail-Mellor hit the hand of Kayode, but referee Darren England ruled it was in a natural position.

Five minutes of added time gave Macclesfield a shot at more history and avoided a second when Yarmoulik toe-poked wide on the counter, but that proved to be the last action of their record-breaking FA Cup journey.

Macclesfield analysis: FA Cup fairytale just the start

The Silkmen managed to produce something truly extraordinary, even by the FA Cup’s standards. While their fairytale has come to an end, in the cruelest of circumstances no less, it could kick Macclesfield into high gear and continue their lightning-quick rise up the football pyramid since the dark day in 2020 that saw English football’s latest tragic liquidation.

John Rooney’s team enjoyed three promotions in four years prior to his arrival this season, and have only been on the up since. His side sit seventh in the National League North with maximum points from their last five – all coming after producing the biggest shock in FA Cup history against holders Crystal Palace. Just goes to show what a bit of belief can do for you.

That’s not all. A figure as high as £400,000 in earnings heading the way of the Silkmen was being discussed on TNT Sport’s live coverage, something that may single-handedly keep the club well clear of any financial trouble for several years.

But if their progress so far is anything to go by, both their winnings and new-found confidence could drive Macclesfield to go one step closer to making a return to the English football league and make an example of their smart investment, heart and soul.

Brentford analysis: full respect on show for non-league opponents

Safe to say, Keith Andrews was taking no risks whatsoever after Macclesfield showed what they were capable of against the team that weaved the story of last year’s FA Cup.

Michael Kayode, Mathias Jensen, Yehor Yarmoulik, Vitaly Yanelt… all familiar names in football households. All of whom started in Brentford’s draw at home to Premier League leaders Arsenal, no less. Then Keane Lewis-Potter and Dango Ouattara came in to close out the match. Against Macclesfield, of the National League North.

If that didn’t demonstrate Andrews’ level of respect for John Rooney’s side, then his visit to the home dressing room to praise their performance after full time definitely did.

That very juxtaposition is what many say elevates the FA Cup above any other domestic competition in world football, and is a hallmark of the Silkmen’s progress and an invitation for fellow non-league clubs to follow in their footsteps in years to come.