Nottingham Forest narrowly avoided an FA Cup upset against ten-man Exeter City, securing their place in the fifth round after a 4-2 penalty shootout victory at St James Park. Neco Williams converted the decisive spot-kick after Matz Sels, who replaced the injured Carlos Miguel, denied Reece Cole, and Angus MacDonald struck the crossbar.
It was a thrilling encounter, with third-tier Exeter pushing Forest to the limit. Local fans leaned out of windows along St James Road to catch a glimpse of the action, but the match ended in heartbreak for the underdogs.
Early Drama and Exeter’s Gritty Performance
Exeter took an early lead in the 5th minute through Josh Magennis after a mistake by Forest’s towering 6ft 8in goalkeeper, Carlos Miguel. However, Forest responded swiftly, with Ramon Sosa equalizing just ten minutes later.
Despite playing with ten men for 53 minutes following Ed Turns’ red card for a high challenge on Morgan Gibbs-White, Exeter showed immense resilience. Even after Taiwo Awoniyi put Forest ahead with a well-placed left-footed strike, Magennis struck again early in the second half, forcing an own goal off Willy Boly to level the match once more.
Forest’s Missed Opportunities and Shootout Drama
Forest, who rested key players after their 7-0 win over Brighton, struggled to capitalize on their numerical advantage. Despite introducing Elliot Anderson and Gibbs-White, they failed to break down Exeter in normal time. Jota Silva hit the crossbar in stoppage time, and Exeter’s loan goalkeeper Joe Whitworth made several crucial saves in extra time.
Eventually, the tie was settled by penalties, with Exeter faltering under pressure. Sels’ crucial save and MacDonald’s miss sealed Forest’s place in the next round.
Nuno’s Reaction and Next Steps
Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo acknowledged the challenge, praising Exeter’s spirit. “They fought for their lives. I’ve been the underdog before, so I respect that,” he said.
Forest will now face Ipswich Town in the fifth round, while Exeter can take immense pride in their performance, despite the cruel ending.
