Brentford beat non-league side Macclesfield 1-0 in the FA Cup
09:04, 17 Feb 2026
Keith Andrews in the Macclesfield dressing room
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Keith Andrews in the Macclesfield dressing room
Keith Andrews was hailed for a classy gesture following Brentford's FA Cup win against Macclesfield on Monday night.
The Bees defeated the non-league side 1-0 as the result of a Sam Heathcote own goal in the 70th minute. Brentford will face West Ham in the fifth round.
Brentford sit 116 places above the National League North outfit, who famously knocked out Crystal Palace last month, yet John Rooney's part-time squad controlled the opening period.
The pivotal moment arrived in the 70th minute when Aaron Hickey discovered room down the left flank and delivered a cross which the unfortunate Heathcote inadvertently directed beyond his own keeper.
Rooney said after the game that he "couldn't be any prouder" of his team.
He stated: "Days like this are why you are involved. It's an unbelievable touch by their manager to come into our dressing room after full-time. He spoke highly of us. Of myself, the players and the thing he saw was a real togetherness we had about us.
"We're a close-knit group and in football I think that takes you a long way. I'm proud to go and replicate the Crystal Palace performance. For a club of our level to go toe to toe with two Premier League teams is incredible."
Following the game, Andrews visited the Macclesfield dressing room and had some kind words for Rooney's side.
“That was always going to be a real test," the Dubliner said after the game. "They have a great spirit in the way they play. It was never going to be easy. I don't think we did the basics well enough in the first half and then in the second half we did it very well.
“We controlled it a bit better and got into better positions and eventually wore them down. I have a lot of respect for them and how they play. It is a tough place to come.
“I am a big fan of the football pyramid and these are always going to be difficult places to come. Tough test to navigate but we came through it.”
Macclesfield striker Danny Elliott spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live about Andrews visiting their dressing room, saying: “Keith Andrews came into our dressing room and told us he was relieved and paid a lot of respect to us.
“For a Premier League manager to do that is nice. It shows the gap isn't necessarily massive. We should be so proud of ourselves. The run highlights the club nationally and it's nice that a Premier League manager was pretty scared of us!”
A number of people took to social media to praise the former Ireland midfielder, with one writing: "Class Act Keith Andrews."
Another commented: "FairPlay to Brentford manager, Keith Andrews, going into Macclesfield’s changing room to congratulate them on a brilliant run & performance in the FA Cup."
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Someone else said: "Keith Andrews is an absolutely top guy. Class gesture here."
"Keith Andrews walking into the Macclesfield dressing room at full-time isn’t just a random gesture it reflects leadership, humility, and respect for the game. Whether it was after a tough cup tie or a hard-fought contest, that kind of action shows he values the opponent, not just the result," read another comment.
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