National League North’s Macclesfield FC have eliminated reigning FA Cup champions, Crystal Palace with a shock 2-1 victory at Moss Rose.
Paul Duffy fired sixth-tier Macclesfield in front from a 43rd-minute free-kick by Luke Duffy, before Isaac Buckley-Ricketts flicked their second goal past Walter Benitez in the 60th minute to seal a historic victory.
Yeremy Pino curled in a consolatory 90th-minute free-kick as Palace couldn’t complete a comeback to at least force extra time at minimum.
Macclesfield’s success also meant that they set a new record for the biggest winning gap between teams in English football’s pyramid, having began the tie sat 117 league positions behind the holders.
Their triumph also saw them become the first non-league team to eliminate the FA Cup holders since Palace achieved that very feat against Wolves in 1909, albeit after a 4-2 first-round replay home win on that occasion following a 2-2 draw in the initial tie away at Molineux.
Macclesfield will now be ball number 30 in the fourth round draw on Monday 12 January at approximately 6:35pm GMT, live at Anfield, Liverpool, on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
As reigning champions for the first time as they entered this season’s competition, Palace struggled to get to grips with the 4G pitch of their National League North hosts as Christantus Uche registered their best chance of the first half with a 28th-minute shot curled over the bar.
Macclesfield in response quietly soaked up Palace’s pressure as Josh Kay rifled wide of the left corner in the 41st minute.
Kay a minute later drew a foul from Kaden Rodney which the Silkmen capitalised upon as Duffy’s free-kick was nodded into the far-bottom right corner by Dawson to break the deadlock before half-time to the home crowd’s delight given the 1117 spots between them and Palace in the football pyramid.
Palace manager, Oliver Glasner responded with a triple-substitution at half time as Jaydee Canvot, Kaden Rodney and Joel Drakes-Thomas were substituted for Tyrick Mitchell, Will Hughes and Brennan Johnson respectively.
Glasner’s gamble immediately sparked fresh life into his Eagles as Johnson forced a block from Rollin Menayese, before Chris Richards headed the subsequent corner into Max Dearney’s arms.
Macclesfield however refused to let Palace’s alterations rattle them as James Edmondson put a free-kick wide in the 53rd minute, before he then fired wide six minutes later.
Palace eventually failed to heed those warnings on the hour mark as a goal kick from Dearnley was played around the box, until a shot into the box fell for Buckley-Ricketts to flick a tightly-angled right-footed finish into the far-bottom right corner to double Macclesfield’s lead.
Uche, Justin Devenny and Tyrick Mitchell saw shots saved as Palace began to capitalise upon fatigue setting in for their non-league hosts, but Macclesfield managed to keep their shape and defensive organisation to frustrate the champions.
Palace eventually couldn’t break down the Silkmen’s resilient defence until Pino curled in a 90th-minute free-kick into the top right corner to reduce their deficit.
Macclesfield eventually survived six minutes of injury time to condemn Palace to a humiliating exit, with the Eagles having coincidentally been the last non-league club to inflict such a feat on the cup holders 117 years ago.
Glasner Slams “embarrassing” Performance
Palace manager, Glasner post-match slammed his team’s display in an interview with PalaceTV, in which he iterated that there were no excuses for what unfolded following their title success last season.
“It’s embarrassing. I’ve no explanation for what I’ve seen today. No excuse. It’s really crazy, after experiencing the win in the FA Cup and now losing here.
“But congratulations to Macclesfield.”
Glasner proceeded to rip into his players for failing to give their fans who made a lengthy journey anything to enjoy other than Pino’s consolatory goal, as the squad quietly returned to the dressing room amidst celebrating home fans.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t give them anything back today. At the end, the pitch was full of fans and people. Everybody just went into the dressing room.
“Everybody is disappointed. Players are frustrated. We didn’t show up. We’re sorry for that. I hope you can understand it.
“You, the fans and we all, are really disappointed.”
What’s Next?
Macclesfield turn their attention to the FA Trophy on Tuesday 13 January as they visit Woking in a 7:45pm GMT kick-off at Kingfield Stadium.
Palace turn their attention back to the Premier League on 17 January as they visit Sunderland in a 3pm kick-off at the Stadium of Light.
Teams
Macclesfield: Max Dearnley, Lewis Fensome, Rollin Menayese, Sam Heathcote, Luis Lacey (Borthwick-Jackson 79′), James Edmondson, Paul Dawson, Josh Kay (Dos Santos 80′), Luke Duffy (Matheson 79′), Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, D’Mani Mellor (Whitehead 90+5′)
Substitutes: Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Shea Callister, Carlos dos Santos, Cameron Bradbury-Allen, Regan Griffiths, Luke Matheson, Mikey Stone, Danny Whitehead, Max Woltman
Crystal Palace: Walter Benitez, Jaydee Canvot (Mitchell 46′), Chris Richards, Marc Guehi, Justin Devenny (Casey 69′), Adam Wharton, Kaden Rodney (Hughes 46′), Borna Sosa, Joel Drakes-Thomas (Johnson 46′), Yeremy Pino, Christantus Uche
Substitutes: Dean Benamar, Benjamin Casey, Dean Henderson, Will Hughes, Brennan Johnson, Maxence Lacroix, Zach Marsh, George King, Tyrick Mitchell
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