Nottingham Forest’s Dramatic Escape
Nottingham Forest’s journey to the next round of the FA Cup was nothing short of a rollercoaster, with the match against League One minnows Exeter City ending in a dramatic penalty shootout. Despite the Premier League club’s superior resources and reputation, Exeter City put up a valiant fight, and the match eventually ended in a 2-2 draw after 23 minutes of stoppage time and an additional 30 minutes of extra time. The tension and drama reached its peak as the match went to penalties, where Forest’s young star Neco Williams stepped up to convert the winning kick, securing a 4-2 victory in the shootout.
Early Setback
The game started with a shock for Forest as Josh Magennis put Exeter ahead within the first five minutes. Demetri Mitchell found space on the left edge of the box and fired a left-footed shot, which Exeter’s keeper Carlos Miguel fumbled. Magennis pounced on the loose ball to score from close range, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The early deficit was a rude awakening for Forest, who had made 10 changes to their lineup, with only Danilo retaining his place from the side that thrashed Brighton 7-0 just days earlier. The goal served as a stark reminder that League One sides are not to be underestimated, and Forest quickly needed to regroup.
Forest’s Comeback
Forest’s response was quick and decisive. Romon Sosa, who had also scored in the third-round win over Luton, equalized with a display of individual brilliance. He rode through several Exeter tackles after being played in by Ibrahim Sangare and coolly placed the ball past Whitworth, tying the game at 1-1. The Forest fans, who were initially stunned, began to regain their confidence. However, the lead did not hold for long. Taiwo Awoniyi, another player who had been brought in for this match, put Forest in front with a beautifully executed goal. Sangare played a precise pass to Awoniyi, who, despite being surrounded by four Exeter defenders, turned on a dime and curled a superb shot into the net. The lead gave Forest a sense of control, but the match was far from over.
Exeter’s Fightback
The second half saw Exeter come out even more determined. Just before the hour mark, Josh Magennis once again found himself in the right place at the right time. From a corner, Mitchell could only palm a Magennis header back to the striker, who fired a shot through a crowded six-yard box. The ball deflected off Boly and past the keeper, leveling the score at 2-2. Exeter’s equalizer was a testament to their resilience and determination, and the match was now a fierce, back-and-forth battle. The tension was palpable as both teams pushed for the winning goal, but the score remained deadlocked.
Critical Moments
With 20 minutes left in regular time, Forest began to bring on their big guns. Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White replaced Ryan Yates and Sangare, adding much-needed firepower to the Forest attack. Gibbs-White and Anderson combined effectively, with Gibbs-White’s powerful low shot being saved by Whitworth. However, the drama was far from over. Exeter received a significant blow when debutant Ed Turns was shown a straight red card for a late tackle on Gibbs-White, leaving them with only 10 men. Despite being down a player, Exeter continued to fight, and Matz Sels, who had come on as a substitute for the injured Miguel, made a crucial save from Niskanen’s powerful low effort.
Extra Time and the Final Showdown
As the match entered extra time, both teams showed signs of fatigue, but the intensity did not wane. Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi and Exeter’s goalkeeper Whitworth collided in the 19th minute of stoppage time, leading to Awoniyi being carried off on a stretcher. Chris Wood came on as a late substitute, and the match continued into the 23rd minute of stoppage time. Pat Jones nearly snatched a famous victory for Exeter, but his angled effort went inches wide of the left post. Jay Bird then had a chance but was denied by Sels. In the final moments, Morgan Gibbs-White hit the bar, and Forest laid siege to Exeter’s goal in extra time, but the Grecians held on.
The Penalty Shootout
With the match still tied at 2-2 after extra time, it was down to the penalty shootout. Matz Sels, who had been the hero in goal, continued his impressive form by saving two of Exeter’s penalties. Rees Cole and Angus MacDonald both failed to convert, while Forest’s players, including Williams, kept their nerve. Williams, in particular, showed immense composure under pressure, firing the decisive penalty into the net to seal a 4-2 victory for Forest. The dramatic win was a testament to Forest’s resilience and the resilience of Exeter, who, despite their efforts, had to settle for a heartbreaking defeat.
