Mark Carruthers: Why Macclesfield’s FA Cup shock was about more than Crystal Palace’s failure

There is always a fascination in witnessing the reaction to an FA Cup upset – but Macclesfield’s stunning win against Crystal Palace was not just any other giant-killing.

With a doff of the cap to Phil Annets of the excellent FA Cup Factfile, this was the first time a Non-League club had dispatched the current holders since 1909.

On that day, coincidentally, it was Crystal Palace, then of the Southern League, that claimed a 4-2 replay win over a Wolverhampton Wanderers side that had beaten Newcastle United in the 1908 final just months earlier.

At the risk of stating the obvious, football has changed beyond recognition since those days, and the gap between Non-League and Premier League is now not so much a gap, but more of a chasm.

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The foundations behind the upset

Despite their historic and emotion-laden Wembley win against Manchester City last season, Palace’s finances are somewhat modest compared to several of their top-flight rivals, yet they still dwarf Macclesfield’s resources.

That was clearly pointed out in the buildup to the game and the mainstream media prepared to have their say on what many, this writer included, felt would be a fairly routine win for the Eagles.

However, what became clear in the early stages of the game itself was that there was a focus on what Palace were not doing, rather than the positives the Silkmen were producing to make life uncomfortable for their visitors and lay the foundations for a day few will forget.

Some naysayers will point to the pitch as a reason for the defeat, some will suggest Oliver Glasner’s decision to rotate his squad played a key role in his side’s shock loss and others will simply fall back on other bizarre excuses for the shortcomings shown by the Eagles.

For the record, Palace’s starting eleven consisted of seven full internationals with a combined 111 senior caps between them and two further internationals arrived as the cavalry during the second half to add a further 44 caps. 

Another substitute appeared in the form of the highly experienced Will Hughes, who has amassed over 200 Premier League appearances during his career.

Above and beyond

Highlighting those statistics only emphasises just how impressive Macclesfield were throughout an intoxicating 90 minutes of football that ended with a win richly deserved by the National League North club.

From the first seconds to the final whistle, John Rooney’s men went above and beyond with a performance full of intensity, energy and no end of discipline.

The game plan and each and every last request given to the Silkmen heroes were adhered to in the most spectacular fashion and their place in history was secured after seeing off heavy pressure from the visitors with a controlled and organised display across the pitch.

The persistence and tenacity of the likes of D’Mani Mellor and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, the drive and determination of Paul Dawson and the composure and command of goalkeeper Max Dearnley also caught the eye – although it feels harsh to point to individuals after an almost complete team performance.

Ethan McLeod tribute
PICTURE: Alamy and Jake Manuell/KontentHaus

Extra motivation

It is hard not to fall back on the heartbreaking loss of Silkmen forward Ethan McLeod as extra motivation for their outstanding performance and I am sure I was not the only one to be moved by the sight of his family meeting Rooney in the aftermath of the win.

One can only imagine what everyone connected from Macclesfield has been through in recent weeks and how the players were feeling after the sad passing of one of their team-mates.

There is no question that has brought an already tight squad closer together and has played a part in last Saturday’s heroics and there should be great pride in what has been achieved.

And it is their achievement, rather than the disappointment of their visitors, that should always take centre stage when assessing a truly historic moment for Macclesfield and everyone that has stuck with the club throughout one of the most challenging periods in their recent history.

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