In a dramatic FA Cup fourth-round clash, Taiwo Awoniyi made his long-awaited return to the scoresheet, scoring a crucial goal to help Nottingham Forest secure an away win against League One side Exeter City.
The victory, however, came with a painful twist as the Super Eagles forward suffered an injury blow late in the match, Footballrover reports.
Read on to discover how the 27-year-old propelled his team into the next round while enduring a challenging setback.
Taiwo Awoniyi’s comeback goal and Forest’s unpredictable start
It had been 37 days since Taiwo Awoniyi last found the back of the net for Nottingham Forest, a drought stretching back to their 3-0 victory over Wolves in early January.
But after five games without a goal, the Nigerian striker proved his worth once again, with a stunning strike that gave Forest the lead against Exeter City.
Forest arrived with high spirits following their resounding 7-0 triumph over Brighton, but their hopes were soon dashed when Exeter took the lead within the first five minutes.
Josh Magennis capitalised on a mistake by Forest’s Carlos Miguel, finding the back of the net to give the hosts a shock lead.
However, the visitors quickly responded. Just ten minutes later, Ibrahim Sangaré found Ramon Sosa inside the box, allowing him to slot the ball past the goalkeeper and level the score for Forest.
Awoniyi, eager to make his mark, came close with a powerful first-time shot, but Exeter’s Joe Whitworth was quick to deny him with a diving save.
Awoniyi’s noment of magic amid injury concerns
At the 32-minute mark, it was Awoniyi who found himself in the perfect position to make a difference.
After a brilliant pass from Sangaré, Awoniyi took a quick turn and fired a stunning shot into the bottom left corner, giving Forest the lead and silencing the home crowd at St James Park.
Unfortunately, Forest’s advantage didn’t last. In the second half, Exeter capitalised on a stroke of luck when Willy Boly inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net, leveling the score once again.
As tensions rose, the game moved toward extra time, with both teams vying for a breakthrough.
In the final minutes of regular time, Awoniyi’s night took a dangerous turn.
After a heavy aerial collision with Exeter goalkeeper Joe Whitworth, the Nigerian striker suffered a bloody nose and appeared visibly shaken.
The medical team rushed to his aid, and Awoniyi was stretchered off, leaving Forest to continue without their star forward.
Penalties and the road to the next round
With the score locked at 2-2 after 120 minutes of gripping action, the game went to penalties.
Forest held their nerve, converting four of their spot-kicks, while Exeter faltered.
Reece Cole had his penalty saved by Forest’s goalkeeper, and Angus MacDonald smashed his attempt against the crossbar.
In the end, it was Forest who emerged winners, sealing their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
While Awoniyi’s injury is a concern, his performance will be remembered for his critical role in securing the win.
Nottingham Forest will now look ahead to their next challenge, hosting Premier League strugglers Ipswich Town in the upcoming round.
As the team advances, fans will be hoping for a speedy recovery for Taiwo Awoniyi, whose injury blow threatens to overshadow his brilliant display on the pitch.
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