Football has this weird way of making you feel everything at once. One minute you're screaming because your League One team is leading a Premier League giant, and the next, you're watching a penalty fly over the bar under the floodlights. That's basically the story of Exeter City vs Nottingham Forest in the 2024/25 FA Cup.
It wasn't just a game; it was one of those "magic of the cup" moments that actually lived up to the cliché. Most people expected Forest, who were flying high in the top flight at the time, to just roll over the Grecians at St James Park. Honestly, it almost went the other way.
The Night St James Park Nearly Shook
If you weren't there on February 11, 2025, you missed a classic. Exeter City vs Nottingham Forest started like a fever dream for the home fans. Within four minutes, Josh Magennis—who was having an absolute monster of a cup run—poked the ball home. The Big Bank went mental. You could feel the stands vibrating.
Forest, managed by Nuno Espírito Santo, didn't panic, though. They’re too professional for that. Ramón Sosa leveled it up ten minutes later, and then Taiwo Awoniyi put the visitors ahead before the break. Usually, that's where the underdog folds.
But Exeter is different. Gary Caldwell has built a side with a serious backbone.
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Early in the second half, Magennis struck again. A header, a rebound, a bit of chaos involving Willy Boly, and suddenly it was 2-2. The stats will tell you Forest had 77% possession and 31 shots, but stats don't capture the desperate lunges, the blocks, and Joe Whitworth’s heroics in the Exeter goal.
Survival Mode and the Red Card
Things got really spicy toward the end of regulation. Ed Turns, making his debut for Exeter, saw red in the 87th minute. Playing 10-man football against a Premier League side for thirty minutes of extra time is basically a death sentence, right?
Kinda. Except Exeter didn't get the memo.
They defended like their lives depended on it. They threw bodies in front of everything. Forest brought on the big guns—Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood—but they couldn't find a way through the red and white wall. It went to penalties, and that's where the fairy tale sort of hit a wall.
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Matz Sels, the Forest keeper, saved from Reece Cole, and Angus MacDonald hit the bar. Forest were perfect from the spot. They moved on, but Exeter walked off the pitch to a standing ovation.
Head-to-Head: A Rare Sight
You don't actually see Exeter City vs Nottingham Forest on the fixture list very often. Before this FA Cup clash, these two hadn't met in a competitive match for decades. That’s part of why the atmosphere was so electric—it was a literal once-in-a-generation event for the local supporters.
Historically, the gap between the two clubs has been vast. While Forest was busy winning European Cups under Brian Clough, Exeter was grinding away in the lower tiers. But on that one Tuesday night in February, the three-division gap completely evaporated.
| Detail | Match Impact |
|---|---|
| Attendance | 8,330 (SJP was packed) |
| Possession | Forest dominated (77%) but struggled to finish |
| Top Performer | Josh Magennis (Two goals, 8.8 rating) |
| The Result | 2-2 (Forest won 4-2 on penalties) |
Why This Match Still Matters for Both Clubs
For Nottingham Forest, this was a massive wake-up call. They were third in the Premier League at the time, fresh off a 7-0 demolition of Brighton. They expected an easy night in Devon. Instead, they got a dogfight that nearly derailed their season. It proved that even with elite talent like Anthony Elanga and Elliot Anderson, you can't sleep on a well-organized League One side.
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For Exeter City, it was a platform. It showed the world that they could compete. Since that match, the club has used the "Forest performance" as a benchmark. It wasn't just about the result; it was about the identity.
What the Experts Said
Local pundits and national journalists like those from The Athletic noted how Exeter’s 5-4-1 formation completely nullified Forest’s wingers for long stretches. Nuno Espírito Santo admitted after the game that his side "suffered" to get the win. It’s rare to hear a Premier League manager be that honest about a lower-league opponent.
Key Takeaways for Fans and Analysts
If you're looking at future matchups or trying to understand the dynamics of Exeter City vs Nottingham Forest, here is what you need to keep in mind:
- Style Clash: Exeter plays a gritty, high-energy game at home that can frustrate ball-dominant teams.
- The SJP Factor: St James Park is tight, loud, and uncomfortable for visiting stars used to the luxury of the Emirates or the Etihad.
- Squad Depth: Ultimately, Forest won because they could bring $40-million players off the bench. Exeter ran out of steam after the red card.
The next time these two meet—whenever that might be—don't look at the league table. Look at the heart. Exeter proved that they aren't scared of the "Tricky Trees," and Forest learned that a trip to the West Country is anything but a holiday.
If you want to understand how the Grecians are building on this momentum, check out the latest League One form guides or head over to the official Exeter City YouTube channel for the "SJP 360" behind-the-scenes look at the Forest game. It’s arguably the best piece of media the club has produced in years. You can also track Forest’s progress in the Premier League to see if they’ve managed to maintain that top-four push they were enjoying during the cup run.