The FA Cup nonetheless has that previous knack of constructing heroes and breaking hearts, and so Macclesfield’s fairytale got here to an finish as Sam Heathcote’s own-goal noticed the Nationwide League North aspect knocked out by Brentford final night time.
Heathcote, the PE trainer from Altrincham and one of many stars of the unimaginable third-round win over holders Crystal Palace final month, headed in halfway via the second half. As arduous as they tried, there was no approach again for John Rooney’s giantkillers.
‘Soccer will be merciless, however I couldn’t be extra proud,’ stated Rooney. ‘All of the lads are a bit of bit down, and Sam is identical, however that’s pure – they’ve simply misplaced a soccer match.
‘It’ll take time for them to get again to being themselves, however all of them know what they’ve achieved. For a membership of our stage to go toe-to-toe with two Premier League sides is unimaginable.’
So Brentford undergo to satisfy West Ham within the fifth spherical after beating a staff 116 locations beneath them within the soccer pyramid.
It’s not the primary cup dream that Keith Andrews’ aspect have killed off this season after knocking Manchester United’s conquerors Grimsby City out of the Carabao Cup.
Macclesfield’s FA Cup dream got here crashing down as they misplaced 1-0 to Brentford at residence
Sam Heathcote (left) was the unlucky soul to attain an personal purpose after 70 minutes
Macclesfield supervisor John Rooney was immensely happy with his gamers, who had defeated Crystal Palace within the third spherical to succeed in this stage
Afterwards, Andrews went into the Macclesfield dressing-room to congratulate them on a improbable run and obtained a spherical of applause.
‘I like the English soccer pyramid,’ stated the Brentford boss. ‘I’ve performed in numerous it and coached in numerous it. I like what it stands for.
‘This membership are on a very good journey and I like tales like that. It truly fills my coronary heart. I assumed they had been completely immense proper to the top and gave us a correct cup tie that most individuals would have loved – I can’t say I did!’
For some time, it seemed as if Brentford would possibly endure the identical destiny as Palace after making seven adjustments from their draw in opposition to Premier League leaders Arsenal on Thursday.
They’d skilled on astroturf and inspected the 4G pitch on the Leasing.com Stadium earlier within the day, nevertheless it was the non-leaguers who began and completed the primary half stronger, going shut with two efforts from the sting of the field by Luke Duffy and captain Paul Dawson.
‘Towards All Odds’ declared a banner that was unfurled behind the purpose within the Star Lane Finish earlier than kick-off, and there was a palpable sense of perception among the many residence followers that their staff might do it once more.
‘I didn’t suppose we made it straightforward for ourselves within the first half,’ admitted Andrews.
Brentford started to search out extra areas and stretch the sport after the restart although because the underdogs, who’ve solely been capable of practice as soon as every week, started to indicate the primary indicators of fatigue.
They attacked from each flanks and Macclesfield’s defending grew to become more and more determined which led to the decisive purpose within the seventieth minute.
Aaron Hickey had been a menace down the Brentford left all recreation, and he took benefit of the very fact Lewis Fensome was off the sphere with a hamstring damage and Macclesfield had been quickly right down to 10 males by crossing in direction of the close to put up.
Ultimately, Brentford deserved their win however there was completely no disgrace in that for Macclesfield, and Heathcote specifically. As soon as once more they punched effectively above their weight.
‘Did we expect we’d get to the fourth spherical? I didn’t,’ stated Rooney. ‘To go on this journey and do all of it collectively is one thing I’m so happy with.’
