Brentford boss Keith Andrews believes the world was rooting for Macclesfield within the FA Cup fourth spherical
Macclesfield’s FA Cup run got here to an finish with a slender 1-0 defeat to Brentford at a packed Leasing.com Stadium, however the scoreline solely instructed a part of the story of a troublesome tie for the Premier League aspect.
“It was a very powerful check. We knew it will be,” Brentford’s supervisor admitted afterwards. “Macclesfield play with an actual spirit and the way in which they method the sport that they had confidence from the final spherical.”
That confidence was clear from the opening minutes. Roared on by a decent, vocal Moss Rose crowd, the Nationwide League North aspect pressed aggressively and compelled early errors.
D’Mani Mellor’s vitality unsettled Brentford’s build-up and Danny Duffy fired over after capitalising on a free move, earlier than captain Paul Dawson drove a low effort narrowly previous the publish.
Brentford dominated possession however struggled to determine any significant probabilities. Their greatest first-half probability arrived when Aaron Hickey’s cross discovered Reiss Nelson contained in the field, just for Max Dearnley to react sharply and parry away.
On the different finish, Macclesfield remained organised and combative, with Teden Mengi and Sam Heathcote repeatedly clearing deliveries right into a crowded penalty space.
“First half I didn’t assume we did sure issues nicely sufficient,” the Brentford boss stated. “I tweaked a few issues at half-time but it surely was primarily the fundamentals and I assumed we did them so much higher within the second half.”
The sample did shift after the interval. Brentford circulated the ball faster and started to pin Macclesfield deeper.
Dearnley tipped over a harmful Mikkel Damsgaard supply, whereas Heathcote and Borthwick-Jackson threw themselves into blocks as stress elevated.
Nonetheless, probabilities remained restricted. Macclesfield continued to threaten sporadically on the break and appeals for a penalty after a suspected handball had been waved away, protecting the tie balanced heading into the ultimate 20 minutes.
The decisive second got here within the seventieth minute and it was merciless on the hosts. Hickey delivered a lofted cross in direction of the close to publish and Heathcote, making an attempt to move behind beneath stress, diverted the ball previous his personal goalkeeper.
“We ultimately wore them down and obtained the purpose we clearly wanted,” stated the Brentford supervisor. “The pitch won’t ever be used as an excuse but it surely was completely different I suppose – completely different from what the gamers are used to coaching on and enjoying on each day – that’s a reality.”
Macclesfield didn’t fold. Lengthy throws, direct free-kicks and late deliveries into the field saved Brentford uneasy all through stoppage time, whereas the house supporters maintained the environment that had characterised the night.
Nevertheless, the guests managed the closing minutes and held on to progress to a fourth-round tie at West Ham.
Reflecting on the response across the fixture, the Brentford boss added: “The actual fact we’re a fairly likeable membership and we’re usually the underdog, however all people needed us to lose tonight and we needed to take care of that.”
