EXETER, England - Nottingham Forest prevailed against 10-man Exeter City, overcoming them 4-2 on penalties following a tense FA Cup fourth-round clash at St James Park on February 11, 2024, leaving the lowest-ranked team left in the competition disappointed but proud.
The match, which drew significant interest due to Exeter's remarkable run to this point, saw the Grecians give Forest, who currently sit high in the Premier League, quite the battle. It was Exeter who shocked the visitors with an early lead just five minutes in. Josh Magennis capitalized on a misjudgment by Nottingham's reserve goalkeeper, Carlos Miguel, to give the home crowd something to cheer about.
Nottingham Forest, regarded as favourites, pushed back and leveled the score when Ramon Sosa fired home, with the ball finding its way through after hitting goalkeeper Joe Whitworth. The tension only escalated when Taiwo Awoniyi, who had been silencing any notion of complacency with his impressive form, found the net again before the half ended. His back-to-goal shot curled past Whitworth, giving Forest the lead.
Exeter's resolve was commendable, as they struck back within five minutes of the second half, leveling the score at 2-2 when Magennis’s shot found the net, deflecting off defender Willy Boly. The match carried on with both clubs having their chances, but as the clock winded down, Exeter faced additional adversity. Ed Turns was shown red for a high challenge on Morgan Gibbs-White, leaving the hosts to fend off their rivals with just ten men for the remaining minutes.
Despite being down to one man, Exeter managed to create several opportunities, but the game concluded with no side able to break the stalemate, leading to the nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
Forest were clearly feeling the pressure during the shootout. Magennis stepped up first for Exeter and buried his attempt, but Nottingham's Chris Wood equalized with confidence. Following this, the penalty shootout took twists with Exeter's Reece Cole being denied by the Forest keeper, Sels, who had just replaced the injured Miguel, making his mark right away. Forest's Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson comfortably converted their penalties, leading to great anticipation as Tony Yogane’s shot kept hopes alive for Exeter.
But Neco Williams sealed the deal for Forest, sending them through to the next round, where they will face Ipswich Town.
Relief washed over Nottingham’s manager, Nuno Espíritu Santo, after the match. He expressed, "It was a hard game, we had a lot of setbacks. I think we started the game badly, but the response was good. It was tough, but happy at the end because we are going through to the next round."
The away team had made 10 changes to the side which had previously trounced Brighton 7-0, showcasing the depth they possess, but this victory clarified the challenges posed even by lower-tier clubs.
Exeter City's efforts did not go unnoticed; after the match, Magennis remarked, "We had several good chances after their red card. It was tough, but we held our heads high. The hope of another major upset died down after our equalizer. This game brought pride to our fans, and we came close against them."
What remains significant is how Forest's experience and depth proved decisive, yet the Grecians' bravery has left them with their heads held high, vowing to improve as they return to League One action.
Nottingham Forest's thrilling FA Cup adventure continues as they look forward to their next match, determined to replicate their domestic success on the cup stage. For Exeter City, the battle, though lost, shines brightly as they reflect on their spirited performance against top-flight opposition and seek redemption in their league campaign.