US EditionOwn goal dispatches giant-killer Macclesfield as Brentford moves into FA Cup fifth round
Brentford won 1-0 due to a 70th-minute own goal by Macclesfield's Sam Heathcote after sustained pressure and crosses from Aaron Hickey, ending the part-timers' FA Cup run.
- On Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, a Sam Heathcote own goal in the 70th minute handed Brentford a 1-0 victory over Macclesfield at Moss Rose, deciding the tie.
- Brentford's second-half pressure forced a decisive error as Aaron Hickey's cross led Macclesfield defence to concede an own goal after the restart.
- Despite their lower-league status and last month's shock over Crystal Palace, Macclesfield dominated the first half while Brentford's altered XI with seven changes looked slow and needed Max Dearnley's key saves.
- The victory sends Brentford to a high-profile fifth-round tie at West Ham's Olympic Stadium on the weekend of March 7-8, ending Macclesfield's fairy-tale run from last month.
- In context, the evening reinforced the giant-killing narrative that had surrounded Macclesfield as fans protested a rejected penalty claim and the crowd saw the sixth-tier side dominate early despite the 116-place gap between Brentford and Macclesfield.
46 Articles
46 Articles
Chicago Tribune
MACCLESFIELD, England (AP) — Brentford will face West Ham in the fifth round of the FA Cup after dispatching Macclesfield 1-0 on Monday, with an own goal ending the sixth-division giant-killers' fairytale run. The semi-professional Macclesfield side knocked out defending cup champions Crystal Palace in the previous round and were lauded for pulling off one of the biggest upsets in the competition's long history. But they couldn't match Brentford…
Brentford boss Keith Andrews shows class with gesture to Macclesfield stars after FA Cup win - The Mirror
Brentford beat Macclesfield to advance to the fifth round of the FA Cup before Keith Andrews went into the home dressing room to deliver a classy message to the opposition
Soccer-Brentford edge past Macclesfield 1-0 with own goal in FA Cup
MACCLESFIELD, England, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Brentford advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a slender 1-0 away victory against minor-league Macclesfield on Monday, the match decided by a second-half own goal from Sam Heathcote. Read full story
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