🔗 Share this article

Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he reminisces about the dramatic closing stages of his team's remarkable turnaround triumph against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The encounter ended with Galbraith briefly donning a spectator's eyewear following the post-goal scrum.

During the final moments of stoppage time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a powerful shot from outside the box, and Cameron Burgess quickly slammed home the deflection before sprinting toward the home end to mark the goal, with supporters swarming the players.

Remarkable Recovery

This completed an extraordinary recovery given the Welsh side had been behind 2-0 deep into the final 45 minutes. During the delirium, there was some collateral damage. He shared, "There was a supporter trying to get our attention and we were puzzled: 'What's he on about here?' Then we noticed the glasses. It was a light-hearted moment putting them on. We are on the pitch as athletes but we're humans, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

That win secured a fourth-round fixture at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, a club Galbraith pushed hard at the same stage of the FA Cup with the London side in February. Galbraith had arguably the best view when the underdogs took the lead in spectacular fashion, with a teammate's volley from about 45 yards going in via the woodwork and the opposition keeper. It seems unfair that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've given it to him for attempting the shot from that distance," says Galbraith, who started in midfield before moving to right defensive wing after they changed formation. That meant facing off against City's winger, with whom he swapped shirts, and the winger was among the opposition who complimented the way Orient approached the match.

Opponent's Class

"Physically they are outstanding but even the simple things and basic skills, they can just perform consistently," the midfielder notes. "It feels like they never miss a pass and they know how to dictate and take the sting out of a game. You can believe you're holding your own and then suddenly they will just fizz a pass past your midfield without you even noticing. You have to be focused every second of the game. It requires a strong mentality and concentration just to stay in the game."

Swansea Move

The Welsh side sought to acquire Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to secure him in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He established himself as a popular figure across multiple campaigns at Leyton Orient and has rapidly replicated that in south Wales. At the London club he reunited with Richie Wellens, who previously gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in first-team action on loan at Doncaster from United. Then came a temporary move at League Two Salford, before he moved on from his boyhood club.

Learning Curve

"I was probably a slightly green going into senior level. I think many athletes would say under-23s football is entirely separate. Sometimes it feels like possession is exchanged without much intensity. You see few physical contests. Once you start playing men's games you have to adjust fast."

Country Call-ups

He has demonstrated that development for his team and nation, shining for his national side, who could still reach the World Cup next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has started the past five games, including two matches games against the German national team. His former international manager, Galbraith's former international manager, offered the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he controls possession and his eye for a decisive through ball.

Humble Beginnings

This represents an incredible journey for the player from the neighborhood in his hometown, just outside Belfast, who grew up watching his parent, his father, also a central player, play for his father's team.

Old Trafford Memory

The player's sole appearance for United came in the away trip in 2019, a Europa League trip to the host city, where they played on an synthetic surface and the venue ceiling was sealed owing to temperatures of bitter cold. "This represented a extended travel and it was freezing," he says, grinning. "The week before, the academy prospects worked out jointly, so that assisted our preparation. Just to join the main group and earn some playing time at the end was incredible."

Leaving United

How difficult was it to leave United, the club he joined from Linfield aged his mid-teens? "The decision proved relatively straightforward, because I got to the stage where I understood I wasn't going to make it at the senior squad. I'm very appreciative for the time I spent there but it reached a stage where I thought I required a fresh start, join a smaller club and play professional soccer. Now I'm steadily climbing the ladder."

New Environment

It is mid-afternoon at the club's training ground but Galbraith has somewhere to be at the early evening: a driving theory test, another progress toward getting on the road. Before his recent move to Sketty, the mid-twenties player was a frequent passenger in Swansea's nicknamed player transport, a team vehicle driven by academy staff, the transport team, which transports players to and from training and matches.

"I travel with the Portuguese player, Ronald, the midfielder – Melker Widell used to be in it but has started driving. It's pleasant to interact with the teammates but I'm hoping to be the next one out of the minibus and behind the wheel. Franco enjoys practical jokes; he's frequently playing tricks."

Fan Interactions

While playing for Orient, Galbraith would mix with fans on the Tube after starting his journey at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim