How Macclesfield made it to the FA Cup fourth round with a fairytale run

Macclesfield’s FA Cup run was one of the stories of this season’s competition so far, with the National League North side producing a string of memorable results to reach the fourth round proper.

Starting out in the qualifying rounds, the Silkmen built momentum before a famous giant-killing victory over holders Crystal Palace at Moss Rose.

Their adventure finally came to an end on Monday night with a narrow 1-0 defeat against Premier League side Brentford, but their run will be remembered as a landmark chapter in the club’s recent history.

Here, Luca Salmasi takes a look at their journey from the beginning to the end.

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Fast start in the qualifiers

The National League North team started their FA Cup journey in the second qualifying round and made an immediate impact, scoring six goals and recording three clean sheets across three matches.

Macclesfield set the tone with a dominant 3-0 victory over Atherton Laburnum Rovers, highlighted by Sean Etaluku’s stunning long-range strike.

They followed up with a disciplined 2-0 win against Nantwich Town, demonstrating solid defence and clinical finishing.

The fourth qualifying round presented their toughest challenge, a close contest with Stamford, but the Silkmen held their nerve to secure a spot in the first round proper.

For a club in the sixth tier, progressing through the qualifiers so convincingly laid the foundation for a remarkable FA Cup run, signalling to Football League sides that Macclesfield were no ordinary underdogs.

Goals galore & away-day drama at Slough

Macclesfield continued their FA Cup journey with an exciting first round proper match against AFC Totton, a team from the National League South.

Six goals were scored in the first 36 minutes, including a remarkable hat-trick by Danny Elliot.

The Silkmen maintained their relentless attack in the second half, adding three more goals to secure a commanding and memorable victory.

In the second round proper, Macclesfield faced Slough Town at Arbour Park, marking their first away fixture in the competition.

A scoreless first half was broken by a decisive moment when Danny Elliot converted a penalty after Kiki Oshilaja’s dismissal.

Slough responded with a penalty from Wiktor Makowski, equalising the score and taking the match into extra time.

Early in extra time, James Edmondson scored a stunning shot into the top corner, sparking wild scenes from the 600 travelling fans. 

Brandon Lee’s injury added to the tension during extra time, but in the final moments, a clever throw-in led to Regan Griffiths netting a low shot, sealing another thrilling FA Cup victory.

These matches showcased Macclesfield’s attacking prowess and resilience under pressure, reinforcing their reputation as a brave, spirited team capable of creating magic in the FA Cup.

Moss Rose madness as Palace fall

Macclesfield landed the dream draw for a Non-League side, welcoming holders Crystal Palace to Moss Rose.

From the start, the Silkmen displayed no signs of fear, matching their Premier League opponents through grit and determination.

Paul Dawson opened the scoring with a well-placed header from a cross, igniting enthusiastic celebrations among the home fans. 

Macclesfield kept up the pressure, and in the 61st minute, Isaac Buckley Ricketts confidently extended their lead.

Although Jeremy Pino scored late for Palace, the Silkmen held on to win 2-1, delivering one of the FA Cup’s greatest giant-killing upsets and a legendary moment for Macc’s supporters.

At full-time, manager John Rooney did well to contain himself as he embraced his brother and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney in a heartwarming moment captured on air.

Bees put an end to the dream

Their FA Cup run ended in the next round against Brentford in a tight, fiercely contested match in which both teams created chances. 

The Silkmen defended well until the 70th minute when an own goal by Sam Heathcote handed Brentford the lead.

Although their courageous run finished, their spirit of giant-killing and unwavering resolve will be remembered for years.

The club, players, and fans can take immense pride in their journey, marked by passion and resilience, which is an excellent example of what the FA Cup represents.

Throughout this adventure, the memory of Ethan McLeod, the young forward who tragically passed earlier in the season, inspired the team, adding extra significance to every moment and deepening the impact of their journey on the club and community.

READ MORE: Macclesfield 0-1 Brentford: Silkmen’s FA Cup magic comes to an end