Macclesfield FC's cup magic ends with an own goal, but legacy secure

"MACCLESFIELD, England -- The used car salesman and the captain who sells scented candles have reached the end of the road after Macclesfield's fairytale FA Cup run was ended by an own goal from a PE teacher against Premier League Brentford. Sam Heathcote's unfortunate (and acrobatic) header from Aaron Hickey's 70th minute cross, which diverted past goalkeeper Max Dearnley at his near post, was enough to seal a 1-0 fourth round win for Brentford, who will face London rivals West Ham in the fifth round."

"Having produced the biggest-ever FA Cup shock by eliminating holders Crystal Palace with a 2-1 upset at their tiny Moss Rose ground in the third round, Macclesfield came crashing down to earth in the biggest game in their history. But while Brentford were expected to take heed of Palace's humiliation and ruthlessly dispatch Macclesfield's team of former professionals and part-timers with real jobs in the real world, it proved to be anything but that for Keith Andrews' team."

"Just four days ago, Brentford slammed the brakes on Arsenal's Premier League title charge with a 1-1 draw at the Gtech Stadium that could have ended with a home win. But after making seven changes to his starting line-up for this game -- top scorer Igor Thiago and England midfielder Jordan Henderson didn't even travel with the squad -- Andrews saw his Brentford team struggle to perform like a side that started the day 116 places above sixth-tier Macclesfield in the English football pyramid."

Macclesfield, a sixth-tier side composed of former professionals and part-timers, reached the FA Cup fourth round after beating holders Crystal Palace in the third round. Their run ended when Sam Heathcote inadvertently headed Aaron Hickey's 70th-minute cross past goalkeeper Max Dearnley, giving Brentford a 1-0 win. Brentford made multiple changes to their lineup and rested key players, yet still advanced to face West Ham in the fifth round. Macclesfield demonstrated strong performance and resilience against a team 116 places above them in the football pyramid. Brentford had drawn 1-1 with Arsenal four days earlier.

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