Exeter City F.C. vs Nottingham Forest Lineups – Confirmed XIs and Match Recap

What are the confirmed starting lineups for Exeter City vs Nottingham Forest?

Nottingham Forest edged past Exeter City in a dramatic FA Cup fourth-round encounter at St James Park on February 11, 2025. The match finished 2-2 after regular time, with Forest winning 4-2 on penalties despite Exeter playing most of the second half with ten men.

The confirmed starting XI for Exeter City featured Jack Whitworth in goal, protected by a back four of Will Harper, Ed Turns, Angus MacDonald, and Demetri Mitchell. The midfield comprised Yan Tudor Niskanen, Caleb Richards, Sonny Trevitt, and Ilmari Francis, supporting striker Josh Magennis in attack.

Nottingham Forest fielded a rotated side but named a competitive team for the tie. The confirmed lineup included key players such as Ramón Sosa and Taiwo Awoniyi, who both found the net during the match.

Key players who featured in the match

Josh Magennis proved instrumental for Exeter, scoring both goals in the 5th and 50th minutes. His early strike gave the League One side a shock lead before the hosts tired in the second half.

For Forest, Ramón Sosa equalised in the 15th minute after Magennis’ opener, while Taiwo Awoniyi put Forest ahead in the 37th minute. Both players featured prominently in the starting eleven.

Penalty shootout details

After 90 minutes ended 2-2, the shootout produced mixed results for both sides. Josh Magennis saw his initial penalty saved by Chris Wood, while Forest converted their first four kicks to secure victory.

What are the predicted lineups for Exeter City vs Nottingham Forest?

Pre-match predictions offered several possible XI configurations for both clubs, with sources varying on exact selections. The predicted lineups reflected expectations around squad rotation and fitness considerations.

Exeter City predicted lineups

One prediction suggested Exeter would line up with Whitworth in goal, behind a defence of McMillan, Hartridge, Diabate, and Harper. The midfield was expected to feature Francis and Woods as a deep-lying pair, with Niskanen, Mitchell, and Oluwabori supporting Magennis upfront.

An alternative prediction included Fitzwater alongside Hartridge in central defence, with Harper moving to a midfield role. Watts was named in the wing position instead of Oluwabori, while the forward line remained unchanged.

Nottingham Forest predicted lineups

Forest were expected to rotate significantly given their Premier League commitments. The predicted lineup included Miguel in goal behind a defence of Boly, Toffolo, and Morato. The midfield was predicted to feature Da Silva Moreira, Yates, Sangare, and Moreno, with Jota and Sosa supporting Awoniyi in attack.

Callum Hudson-Odoi was confirmed unavailable due to injury before the match, reducing Forest’s attacking options from the start.

What stats highlight the lineups for Exeter City vs Nottingham Forest?

The contrast in league position and recent form between the two sides shaped expectations heading into this fourth-round tie. Forest sat in the Premier League‘s upper reaches while Exeter occupied a lower-midtable position in League One.

Exeter City’s form and statistics

Exeter arrived at St James Park in poor form, having won only one of their previous nine matches across all competitions. Defensive vulnerabilities were particularly concerning, with the club conceding 13 goals across their preceding three league fixtures alone. Recent results included a 4-1 defeat to Stevenage, a 6-2 loss to Leyton Orient, and a 3-1 reverse against Blackpool.

Despite these struggles, Exeter had progressed past Oxford United in the previous FA Cup round, winning 3-1 to reach the fourth stage for only the fourth time in their history.

Nottingham Forest’s form and statistics

Forest entered the match in exceptional form, winning nine of their previous eleven matches across all competitions. Their attacking prowess was demonstrated by a 7-0 victory over Brighton, while they averaged 1.67 goals per game in Premier League action, ranking ninth in the division.

Defensively, Forest possessed the third-best record in the top flight, having conceded only 27 goals before this FA Cup encounter. Their recent league result included a 2-0 victory over Luton Town.

However, Forest’s FA Cup history suggested limited recent success, having reached the fourth round only twice in the preceding decade before this season.

How did the match unfold at St James Park?

The match timeline reflected a compelling narrative of Exeter’s early promise against the Premier League visitors, followed by Forest’s eventual quality telling in extra time and penalties.

1. Pre-match build-up: Previews favoured Forest heavily, with betting odds around 2/7 reflecting their status. Predictions suggested over 2.5 goals at 12/25 odds, with Awoniyi priced at 3/4 to score. The 8,219-capacity St James Park prepared for a “David versus Goliath” occasion.
2. Early Exeter breakthrough: Josh Magennis capitalised on uncertain Forest defending to score after just five minutes, stunning the visitors and their travelling support.
3. Forest response: Ramón Sosa equalised in the 15th minute, restoring parity and beginning Forest’s control of proceedings.
4. Second half Magennis strike: Against the run of play, Magennis scored his second goal in the 50th minute, briefly giving Exeter a 2-1 lead.
5. Forest level before half-time: Taiwo Awoniyi’s 37th-minute goal brought Forest level, ensuring the scores were level at the interval.
6. Turns red card (87′): Ed Turns’ dismissal shifted momentum decisively in Forest’s favour for the closing stages and extra time.
7. Extra time and penalties: Neither side scored during extra time, leading to a shootout that Forest won 4-2 to advance.

What information is confirmed versus uncertain?

Several aspects of the match and team selections remain clearly established, while others lack complete documentation in public sources.

What was the broader context for this FA Cup encounter?

The match represented a significant moment for Exeter City, representing only the fourth occasion in the club’s history of reaching the FA Cup fifth round. Standing at St James Park with its 8,219 capacity, the fixture offered League One opposition the opportunity to test themselves against Premier League quality.

For Forest, the cup represented a secondary priority amid their impressive Premier League campaign. The decision to field a rotated side reflected this reality, though managerially the club remained determined to progress against lower-league opposition after past struggles in similar fixtures.

The attendance of 8,330 indicated strong public interest in the fixture, surpassing the venue’s official capacity figure. Referee Kitchen A. officiated the match, which produced the dramatic conclusion with Exeter’s numerical disadvantage and subsequent penalty shootout defeat.

What sources confirmed the lineups and match details?

Multiple authoritative sources documented the match, providing varying levels of detail regarding team selections and match events.

“Nottingham Forest defeated Exeter City 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the FA Cup fourth round on February 11, 2025, at St James Park.”

— ESPN match report

“Exeter City’s starting XI: Whitworth (GK); Harper, Turns, MacDonald, McMillan; Niskanen, Richards, Trevitt, Francis, Mitchell; Magennis. Turns was sent off late.”

— Sky Sports team listings

“Forest struggled against lower-tier Exeter despite favoritism, highlighting cup upset potential.”

— Pre-match analysis

What happened when Exeter City faced Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup?

Nottingham Forest survived a significant test at St James Park to eliminate Exeter City from the FA Cup fourth round. Josh Magennis’ double gave Exeter hope of an upset, but Forest’s superior quality ultimately prevailed through a penalty shootout after 120 minutes of football ended 2-2. The result secured Forest’s passage to a fifth-round home fixture against Ipswich Town while ending Exeter’s historic cup run.

For related FA Cup coverage, readers can review the Man U vs Grimsby match report and Bournemouth vs Aston Villa results.

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