sports
January 12, 2026
Losing is horrible but even us Crystal Palace fans smiled for Macclesfield
We can relate to the struggles their club has experienced in recent years so can only wish them well in the FA Cup
TL;DR
- Crystal Palace, the FA Cup holders, were eliminated by Macclesfield FC, a team from the National League North.
- This marked the largest-ever gap in places overcome by a lower-ranked club in FA Cup history.
- Macclesfield's captain, Paul Dawson, set the tone with robust play and scored the opening goal.
- The Macclesfield players showed high energy and commitment, contrasting with Palace's listless performance.
- Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace's manager, acknowledged Macclesfield's deserved victory.
- Macclesfield FC has undergone a significant revival after being expelled from the National League in 2020.
- Crystal Palace fans were praised for their gracious reception of the Macclesfield players after the match.
- The article draws parallels between the clubs' renaissances, offering hope to clubs facing financial difficulties.
- The Macclesfield win was dedicated to the memory of player Ethan McLeod, who tragically died recently.
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