📌 FA Cup Third Round Shock: Macclesfield 2–1 Crystal Palace
Date: 10 January 2026
Competition: 2025–26 Emirates FA Cup (Third Round)
Venue: The Leasing.com Stadium, Macclesfield, England
In one of the standout ties of the 2025–26 FA Cup third round, non-league underdogs Macclesfield F.C. produced a stunning upset by defeating Crystal Palace Football Club, the reigning FA Cup holders, 2–1 on Saturday afternoon.
Macclesfield, who compete well outside the English Football League pyramid, sent shockwaves through the competition with a disciplined and passionate performance against top-flight opposition.
🟡 Final Score
Macclesfield F.C. 2 – 1 Crystal Palace
Goals:
- Paul Dawson (Macclesfield) — 43′ (Header from set-piece)
- Isaac Buckley-Ricketts (Macclesfield) — 60′ (Tap-in after scramble)
- Yéremy Pino (Crystal Palace) — 90′ (Free-kick)
📊 Match Summary
From the moment the teams kicked off, it was clear this would not be a routine cup tie for Crystal Palace. Macclesfield defended with remarkable organisation and seized the initiative. Their captain, Paul Dawson, rose to meet a well-delivered ball from a wide free-kick shortly before half-time, nodding home to set the home crowd alight.
The momentum stayed with the sixth-tier side after the break, and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts extended the lead with a composed finish inside the box. Despite Palace dominating possession and territory for long spells, they lacked cutting edge against a compact Macclesfield defence.
It took until deep into stoppage time for Palace to find a breakthrough, with Yéremy Pino converting a curling free-kick — a consolation that proved too late.
🎯 Context in the Season
This Third Round tie marked the first FA Cup meeting between the two sides in the current 2025–26 season. Crystal Palace, who entered at this stage as defending champions of the FA Cup, were expected to progress comfortably, but instead suffered one of the biggest upsets of the competition.
While no league positions are directly impacted by this result (as the FA Cup is a knockout tournament), Palace’s elimination at this early stage represents a significant blow to their hopes of retaining the title, while Macclesfield advance into the Fourth Round — a remarkable achievement for a club from the National League North.
⭐ Key Player Ratings
| Player | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Max Dearnley (Macclesfield) | 8.0 | Commanding in goal, crucial saves late on to preserve the lead. |
| Paul Dawson (Macclesfield) | 8.5 | Inspirational performance — headed the opener and led by example. |
| Isaac Buckley-Ricketts (Macclesfield) | 8.0 | Deadly in the box to make it 2–0. |
| Yéremy Pino (Crystal Palace) | 7.5 | Bright spark with a quality free-kick, albeit too late. |
| Crystal Palace defence | 5.5 | Struggled to manage Macclesfield’s set-pieces and transitions. |