Macclesfield delivered one of the most surprising results in the FA Cup on January 10, when the semi-professional team defeated holders Crystal Palace in a historic shock that will be remembered for generations.
The hosts, who are 117 places below the Premier League side, defied all expectations as Macclesfield played disciplined and determined from start to finish, closing the gap on paper on the pitch.
Palace, who shocked Manchester City by winning the FA Cup last May, dominated possession but struggled to create clear chances, resulting in an uneasy nine-match winless run despite their combination of youth and on-field experience.
Paul Dawson put the hosts ahead with a superb header in the first half, sending fans into raptures, but Isaac Buckley-Ricketts doubled the advantage after the break with a quick reaction to a deflected shot inside the box.
Elemy Pino gave Palace a glimmer of hope with a stoppage-time free-kick, which he skilfully sent over the wall, but the home side’s tenacity remained strong and sealed a historic victory, prompting jubilant fans to invade the pitch.
Teenager Joel Drakes-Thomas, only 16, gave Palace the lead in the first half, missing a close-range header from Kayden Rodney’s cross, and Crisstantas Uche’s shot should have gone just over the bar.
Luke Duffy’s pinpoint effort set up Dawson’s iconic header and Palace manager Oliver Glasner brought in the Premier League experience of Tyrick Mitchell, Johnson and Will Hughes, but the visitors were left reeling.
The reaction finish between Buckley and Ricketts strengthened Macclesfield’s resolve, with the sixth-tier side proving that courage, belief and cohesion can overcome gaps at all levels of English football.
The significance of victory resonates beyond the pitch. Macclesfield Town went out of business in 2020, but Phoenix club founder Robert Smethurst and former player Robbie Savage rebuilt them from the ninth tier, winning promotion three times in four seasons.
“I can’t believe it. I’m at a loss for words. I’m speechless right now,” Rooney said after the game. “I can see their joy outside.
“I didn’t think there was any chance of that happening, but there’s a little bit of hope that something might happen that day.”
The victory also paid tribute to the late forward Ethan McLeod, who died in a car accident in December, with the players dedicating his efforts and historic victory to his memory, adding emotional weight to the win.
Crystal Palace manager reacts to shock FA Cup defeat
The defeat joined the pantheon of FA Cup upsets, echoing Hereford vs. Newcastle in 1972, Blyth Spartans vs. Stoke in 1978 and Warrington Town vs. Exeter City in 2014, and cemented Macclesfield’s place in cup lore.
After making six substitutions, including national team players Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton, Coach Glasner acknowledged Macclesfield’s excellent performance on the day, admitting that his team “deserved to lose.”
“There’s no need for tactics in this type of game,” Glasner said. “If you show what you’re capable of and show a little bit of pride, you’ll perform differently.
“But today everything was missing.”
