Nottingham Forest emerged victorious in a thrilling FA Cup tie against Exeter City, played on Tuesday, 11th February 2025, at St James Park. The match, which drew an enthusiastic crowd of 8,330 spectators, saw Forest clinching the win 4-2 on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw at the end of extra time. Exeter City fought valiantly despite being reduced to ten men following Ed Turns' dismissal for a thigh-high challenge on Morgan Gibbs-White.
The game kicked off with intensity as Exeter City's Josh Magennis quickly made his mark, scoring in the 5th minute. His early goal set the tone for a competitive match and marked his sixth goal in the FA Cup. Nottingham Forest responded with equal vigor, with Ramon Sosa leveling the score in the 15th minute. Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi added to the tally by scoring in the 37th minute, giving Forest a lead going into halftime.
Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo made strategic decisions by resting almost his entire regular starting XI following a warm-weather training camp in Dubai. However, Danilo was the only player to remain from the squad that had recently defeated Brighton with a remarkable 7-0 victory. Despite these changes, Forest demonstrated depth and resilience throughout the match.
Exeter City, playing in their first fourth-round tie since 1981, showed commendable spirit. Magennis once again found the net in the 50th minute, bringing the score to 2-2 and igniting hopes for an upset. However, their momentum faced a setback when Ed Turns received a red card in the 87th minute, challenging the team's ability to maintain pressure.
Ramon Sosa capitalized on this advantage by scoring again in the 87th minute, ensuring the game extended into extra time. With tensions high and both teams striving for a decisive goal, neither could break the deadlock, leading to a penalty shootout. The absence of VAR added an old-school element to the proceedings, as decisions were left to the officials on the field.
In the penalty shootout, Nottingham Forest held their nerve, with Neco Williams scoring the final penalty to secure their place in the next round. The match concluded at 11:03 pm, leaving fans on both sides reflecting on an intense evening of football.
"I'm relieved, I think we all are. It was not the best game, of course. We started bad but we reacted well. In terms of the first half we were really dominant, created and changed the score."
- Nuno Espirito Santo, Forest head coach
Nottingham Forest's victory was a testament to their ability to adapt and perform under pressure. Despite Exeter's commendable effort, which saw them come tantalizingly close to victory, fortune favored Forest in the end.
"I am really proud of the team and the whole football club really. We just came up short on penalties, which is a lottery."
- Gary Caldwell, Exeter manager
Exeter's manager, Gary Caldwell, expressed pride in his team's performance despite the narrow defeat. The match highlighted Exeter City's potential and determination as they competed fiercely against a Premier League side.
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