Football Review | Macclesfield 0 - 1 Brentford

It was a tough night for Brentford and Keith Andrews

They survived a huge scare to win a fourth-round FA Cup tie.

Author | Josh T

Stadium | Moss Rose

The sixth-tier Silkmen, Macclesfield, who had stunned holders Crystal Palace in the third round, produced another outstanding display and more than held their own for long periods against a side sitting seventh in the Premier League.

It took a frantic moment for Brentford to break the deadlock with 20 minutes remaining, when Macclesfield defender Sam Heathcote turned Aaron Hickey’s cross into his own net.

The goal was harsh on Heathcote, a PE teacher by profession, and on Macclesfield, who had looked the more threatening in the first half against a disjointed Brentford. Keith Andrews made seven changes, leaving senior players including Igor Thiago at home, and his side struggled to find any rhythm.

Macclesfield had made light of the 116 places separating the teams in the football pyramid, but tired legs and a twist of bad fortune eventually caught up with the side from the National League North.

Brentford will now travel to West Ham United in the fifth round.

londonsupernews.blogspot.com/2026/02/foot... In-form Crysencio Summerville spared West Ham United He scored deep into extra time to edge past Burton Albion and reach the fifth round of the FA Cup.

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— Super News Affiliate (@supernews1.bsky.social) 14 February 2026 at 21:28

Sloppy Brentford scrape through

This potentially awkward tie was always likely to be about doing enough to get through and moving on, and in the end that is precisely what happened.

It was far from a convincing display, though, with the narrow scoreline doing little to convey the gap between the sides on the night.

Brentford were relieved to benefit from Heathcote’s own goal, which ultimately proved enough, but there was a nervy spell in the first half when it appeared Andrews might be left to rue his decision to rotate heavily.

The Bees were careless in possession and knocked out of rhythm as Macclesfield pressed
with purpose. In the end, however, Brentford found a way through, sparing themselves the kind of chastening exit suffered elsewhere by Crystal Palace.