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Stamford Today
By the People, for the People
Brentford Advances to FA Cup 5th Round After Macclesfield Upset
Brentford will face West Ham in the next round after a late own goal eliminated the underdog Macclesfield Town.
Published on Feb. 17, 2026
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Brentford defeated Macclesfield Town 1-0 in the FA Cup fourth round on Monday, with a late own goal ending the underdog's Cinderella run. The victory sets up a fifth round matchup between Brentford and West Ham United.
Why it matters
Macclesfield Town, a non-league club, had been one of the surprise teams of this year's FA Cup, knocking out higher-division opponents in earlier rounds. Their elimination means the path is now clear for Premier League clubs like Brentford and West Ham to advance deeper into the prestigious tournament.
The details
Brentford's winning goal came in the 88th minute when a Macclesfield defender accidentally deflected the ball into his own net, breaking the deadlock in a tight match. Macclesfield had been hoping to become the first non-league club to reach the FA Cup fifth round since 2013, but ultimately fell short against their higher-division opponents.
- The match was played on Monday, February 17, 2026.
- Brentford's winning goal came in the 88th minute of the match.
The players
Brentford
A professional football club based in Brentford, West London that plays in the Premier League.
Macclesfield Town
A non-league football club based in Macclesfield, Cheshire that was competing in the FA Cup as an underdog.
West Ham United
A Premier League club based in London that will face Brentford in the FA Cup fifth round.
What they’re saying
“We knew it would be a tough match against the giant-killers of Macclesfield, but we're delighted to have come through and set up an exciting tie against West Ham.”
— Thomas Frank, Brentford Manager
What’s next
The winner of the Brentford vs. West Ham fifth round match will advance to the quarterfinals of the 2025-26 FA Cup.
The takeaway
Macclesfield Town's Cinderella run in the FA Cup came to an end, but their performance as a non-league club showed the magic and unpredictability that makes the historic tournament so compelling for fans.
