FA Cup Drama: Macclesfield Knock Out Reigning Champions Palace

Macclesfield Town produced one of the most notable FA Cup shocks in the competition’s history by eliminating holders Crystal Palace with a 2-1 victory in the third round at Moss Rose, a match that featured a significant gap between the clubs and historic implications.

The National League North side, playing five levels below their Premier League opponents and separated by 117 league places, advanced to the fourth round with goals from captain Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, holding on despite a late consolation from Palace’s Yeremy Pino.

Macclesfield took the lead just before half-time when Dawson rose to head home a curled delivery, giving the hosts the advantage against the reigning FA Cup champions.

They doubled their lead shortly after the interval as Buckley-Ricketts reacted quickly in the penalty area to drive home from close range, sending the home supporters into early celebration.

Despite Palace’s pressure late in the match, a goal from Pino’s free-kick in added time proved insufficient to overturn the deficit, and Macclesfield held on to secure the result.

The scale of the upset was underscored by the clubs’ positions within the English football pyramid; Macclesfield’s victory marked the first time since 1909 that a non-league team had eliminated the FA Cup holders at this stage, highlighting the rarity of such an achievement and the unpredictable nature of the Emirates FA Cup.

It was also a milestone in the club’s resurgence after reforming in 2020 and steadily climbing the divisions.

Crystal Palace, who lifted the FA Cup last season, fielded a squad blending youth and experience and made several substitutions in a bid to reverse their fortunes in the second half, but were unable to find the breakthrough that would have taken the tie into extra time or beyond.

The defending champions now exit the competition earlier than expected, while Macclesfield progress to the next round.