Back to school for Sam Heathcote after Macclesfield's FA Cup win over Crystal Palace

Macclesfield, a National League North side, beat holders Crystal Palace 2-1 in the FA Cup third round, and defender Sam Heathcote will return to his job as a PE teacher on Monday.

Macclesfield defeated holders Crystal Palace 2-1 in the FA Cup third round at Moss Rose. Defender Sam Heathcote will return to his day job as a PE teacher at Stamford Park Primary School on Monday. The National League North side became the first non-league club to knock out the holders of the Cup since 1909. The win followed goals from captain Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, and Palace scored late through Yeremy Pino's free-kick. Key details: - Score: Macclesfield 2, Crystal Palace 1 in the FA Cup third round. - Scorers: Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts for Macclesfield; Yeremy Pino scored a 90th-minute free-kick for Palace. - Sam Heathcote is a PE teacher at Stamford Park Primary School in Altrincham and teaches children aged three to 11. - Paul Dawson played on with a head wound and bandage; Heathcote helped adjust Dawson's dressing seconds before Dawson's header opened the scoring. - The current club was formed in 2020 after the demise of Macclesfield Town. - The team has been coping with the death of forward Ethan McLeod, 21, who died in a car crash on December 16, and players said they dedicated the win to him. Summary: The result is a historic cup progression for Macclesfield and a moment of celebration for players and the local community. Heathcote will return to teaching on Monday, and the club continues to process the recent death of Ethan McLeod. Undetermined at this time.