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 informed a part of the story of a troublesome tie for the Premier League facet.
“It was a very robust take a look at. We knew it might be,” Brentford’s supervisor admitted afterwards. “Macclesfield play with an actual spirit and the way in which they strategy the sport they’d 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 facet 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 put up.
Brentford dominated possession however struggled to ascertain any significant possibilities. Their greatest first-half likelihood 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 suppose we did sure issues nicely sufficient,” the Brentford boss stated. “I tweaked a few issues at half-time however it was primarily the fundamentals and I believed we did them rather a lot higher within the second half.”
The sample did shift after the interval. Brentford circulated the ball faster and commenced to pin Macclesfield deeper.
Dearnley tipped over a harmful Mikkel Damsgaard supply, whereas Heathcote and Borthwick-Jackson threw themselves into blocks as strain elevated.
Nonetheless, possibilities remained restricted. Macclesfield continued to threaten sporadically on the break and appeals for a penalty after a suspected handball have been waved away, maintaining 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 put up and Heathcote, trying to go behind below strain, diverted the ball previous his personal goalkeeper.
“We finally wore them down and acquired the purpose we clearly wanted,” stated the Brentford supervisor. “The pitch won’t ever be used as an excuse however it was totally different I suppose – totally different from what the gamers are used to coaching on and taking part in on day by day – that’s a reality.”
Macclesfield didn’t fold. Lengthy throws, direct free-kicks and late deliveries into the field stored Brentford uneasy all through stoppage time, whereas the house supporters maintained the environment that had characterised the night.
Nonetheless, 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 reasonably likeable membership and we’re usually the underdog, however all people wished us to lose tonight and we needed to take care of that.”
