Non-league Macclesfield almost defy FA Cup odds again
“I really couldn’t be more proud of the team. To come up against two Premier League teams and lose only by an own goal is something I’m incredibly proud of.
“All the players lost and Sam did the same, scoring an own goal. “That’s natural, but every player knows what they’ve achieved for this club on this journey, so we should all be very proud.
“We’re now back to our bread and butter in the league. We’re training twice a week and putting in that performance against a team in the Premier League. How can you not be proud of that achievement?”
“I started my football career at this club and my coaching career at this club. We want to continue and get promoted. We want to try to make it to the play-offs.”
The Macclesfield fans arrived in a flurry of optimism; The rainbow arcing over this compact, atmospheric stadium after a storm two hours before kick-off offered an omen that they might have another pot of gold.
And how they reveled in another visit from a Premier League team, chanting “West Ham away” after hearing the fifth-round draw and then shouting “are you Palace in disguise” as they crushed Brentford both physically and footballily in the opening exchanges.
Macclesfield captain Paul Dawson, the goal hero in the 2-1 win against Palace, was inches away from a replay with a 20-yard shot that was just wide of the target.
Every classic FA Cup ingredient was in the mix. The non-league team, whose squad includes a collection of PE teachers, podcasters and property developers, are shaking up elite opposition with the addition of Moss Rose’s 4G artificial surface.
There was nothing artificial in the atmosphere as every Macclesfield fan smelled another shock in the cold night air.
Few competitions can deliver such a spectacle and the FA Cup has been delivered again.
In some ways the half-time whistle came at a bad time for Macclesfield, as it broke their momentum and allowed Brentford to take a breather and regroup.
Brentford head coach Andrews made seven changes, leaving out big attacking weapons Igor Thiago and Kevin Schade altogether. It was a high-risk strategy, and there were moments in the first 45 minutes that looked like it might backfire.
Even after suffering a devastating Heathcote own goal, Macclesfield refused to allow Brentford to close out the game, forcing several desperate clearances in the area before referee Darren England blew the final whistle on their FA Cup adventure.
Macclesfield will now return to the real world on Saturday against King’s Lynn Town but with the players and fans of a club on the rise they have created FA Cup memories that will live on forever.
