Nottingham Forest survive FA Cup penalty shoot-out scare from 10-man Exeter City to set up Ipswich Town clash
Published 12/02/2025 at 00:15 GMT
Nottingham Forest survived a huge FA Cup scare against 10-man Exeter City with a penalty shoot-out win after drawing 2-2 at St James Park in normal time. Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson scored from the spot before Neco Williams delivered the decisive penalty to wrap up the win and see Forest through to the fifth round against Ipswich Town.
Nottingham Forest
Image credit: Getty Images
Nottingham Forest survived a penalty shoot-out scare against Exeter City in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Tuesday.
Forest, who had made 10 changes to the side that put seven past Brighton in the Premier League, beat their hosts 4-2 on penalties after drawing 2-2 in normal time.
It was a dream start for League One Exeter as Josh Magennis scored the first of his two goals in the fifth minute, pouncing on a rebound to turn the ball into the net.
Forest regained control of the tie with first-half goals through Ramon Sosa and Taiwo Awoniyi, the latter of which was stretchered off after a collision with Exeter City keeper Joe Whitworth.
Awoniyi was later confirmed to have sustained a broken nose.
It was then up to Magennis to deliver another magical moment when he equalised in the 50th minute, and despite a late red card Exeter held on to send the game to penalties after a goalless extra-time.
Reece Cole and Angus MacDonald missed for the home side before Neco Williams scored the decisive penalty for Nuno Espirito Santo's side.
Forest are now the highest-ranked Premier League side left in the competition after Liverpool suffered a shock defeat to Plymouth Argyle on Sunday.
The fifth round will see them entertain Ipswich Town, who they beat 1-0 in November.
"It was a hard game," Santo admitted. "It was hard to play. We started in a bad way, but the response was good. We had another setback after half-time and it became so hard. Credit to Exeter. I am happy in the end that we are going through."
The Grecians supporters were witnessing their club's first fourth-round tie since 1981, and celebrated it by hoisting a huge banner with the words 'Together We Can Create History'.
Exeter manager Gary Caldwell was immensely proud of his side after their brave effort against the third-place Premier League team.
"I am really proud of the team and the whole football club really," Caldwell said. "We showed what a special football club we are. We just came up short on penalties, which is a lottery. I am really proud of the players.
"We spoke a lot this week about team first and running for each other. I thought we were outstanding. With 10 men it was backs against the wall. We could have won or lost it near the end. It is a fantastic effort from the players.
"I think it shows the potential and what they are capable of and they can raise their game. We have to show that commitment to each other and if we do that, I am sure we have got a lot to look forward to.
"We are the only supporter-owned club in England and you can see the success we have had. There is a lot to look forward to at this club."
Forest travel to face Fulham in their next Premier League match before playing Newcastle United, and will play out a blockbuster clash with Arsenal on Wednesday, February 26, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
React to this story
Share this article
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement