Moss Rose shook with disbelief and joy as non-league Macclesfield delivered one of the greatest FA Cup shocks of all time. The sixth-tier side stunned holders Crystal Palace 2-1, writing a new chapter in a story already heavy with emotion and resilience. It was a night when belief beat pedigree.
Macclesfield began the day 117 places below Palace in the football pyramid. Yet from the opening whistle, John Rooney’s side played without fear and with total commitment. The gulf in status meant nothing once the ball started rolling.
This club’s very existence adds weight to the moment. Reformed in 2020 after Macclesfield Town were wound up, the Silkmen are still building their identity. Knocking out the FA Cup holders was not just a win, it was a statement of survival and pride.
Captain Paul Dawson set the tone. Wearing a bandage after an early clash, he rose to power home a free kick just before half time. It was a goal full of grit and symbolism, and Moss Rose believed from that moment on.
Palace looked rattled and short of ideas. Despite fielding internationals like Marc Guéhi and Adam Wharton, they struggled to create clear chances. Their first real threat came late, and it only increased Macclesfield’s resolve.
The second goal summed up the chaos. After blocked clearances and a deflection, Isaac Buckley-Ricketts reacted quickest to poke the ball past Walter Benitez. It was not pretty, but it was perfect.
Emotion ran deeper than football for the hosts. Macclesfield are still mourning Ethan McLeod, the 21-year-old forward who died in a car crash in December. Macclesfield boss, Rooney later said, “It’s been a really tough time, we’ve all stuck together through it. I think he’ll be looking down on us today and be really proud of us all.”
Palace finally stirred late on. Yeremy Pino’s free kick in the 89th minute gave them hope, but it came too late. When the final whistle blew, fans poured onto the pitch in scenes that captured the soul of the FA Cup.
“I thought we were incredible from the first minute,” Rooney said in an interview. “To go and win the game, I never would have thought it in my wildest dreams.”
For Palace, the fall was brutal. Manager Oliver Glasner did not hide his anger, saying, “This was embarrassing. I think when we play with our under-21 team they’d do better than we did today.”
