Ryan Yates admits the nerves crept in as he stepped up to take the penalty that sent Nottingham Forest to an FA Cup semi-final.
After a goalless 120 minutes of action at the Amex Stadium, Brighton and the Tricky Trees had to be separated by a penalty shootout on Saturday evening.
Jack Hinshelwood was the first to miss as his tame effort was easily gathered by Matz Sels, but Neco Williams skied the following spot kick. The Belgian goalkeeper was on hand again, though, to deny Diego Gomez.
Following conversions from Nikola Milenkovic and Lewis Dunk, the deciding penalty fell to Yates, who made no mistake from 12 yards out. It was fitting that a local lad who came through the club’s academy was the one to seal their progress to the last four at Brighton’s expense.
Yates makes nervous admission as Forest reach FA Cup semi-final
“I was a bit nervous to be fair, just so relieved it went in,” the 27-year-old told BBC. “Matz saved two penalties and I just knew I had to capitalise and send us to Wembley.
“It has been an incredible season. We have achieved nothing yet but to send these lot to Wembley again – we know how special it was last time, getting promoted. It will be a special day and I am so pleased for the supporters and overall I think we deserved it.”
On the winning penalty, Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo said: “It’s a huge moment for all of us especially for him, he’s been here since a young player.”
Asked what he was feeling as he watched Yates score, Milenkovic responded: “It was a unique emotion. We are very happy that we could go over to our fans and spend time with them and we are so happy to go to Wembley with them.”
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