Own goal dispatches giant-killer Macclesfield as Brentford moves into FA Cup fifth round

Brentford will face West Ham in the fifth round of the FA Cup after dispatching Macclesfield 1-0 on Monday, an own goal ending the fairy tale run of the sixth-tier giantkiller. The Macclesfield part-timers knocked out cup holder Crystal Palace in the last round and were hailed for pulling off one of the greatest shocks in the competition’s long history. The big defender dived to cut out a cross from Aaron Hickey but instead diverted the ball past his own keeper.

Macclesfield’s fairytale FA Cup run ended by Heathcote’s own goal against Brentford

For 160 minutes this season, Macclesfield had been more than a match for illustrious Premier League opponents in the FA Cup. Ultimately it took an unfortunate own goal from Sam Heathcote, a PE teacher when not playing as a part-timer in the sixth tier, to put Brentford into the fifth round. As cruel as it felt on Heathcote and Macclesfield, they can once again be proud of their performance. Crystal Palace could not break down the Cheshire team in the previous round and for 70 minutes Brentford had also struggled for a route to goal. The non-league side were even able to rouse themselves to push for a late equaliser, rather than cave in to Keith Andrews’s men. Continue reading...

By Dominic Booth at the Leasing.com Stadium