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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he recalls the thrilling closing stages of his team's epic comeback victory against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The encounter wrapped up with Galbraith briefly donning a spectator's eyewear following the pitch-side pile-on.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a speculative effort from distance, and Cameron Burgess immediately slammed home the deflection before charging toward the crowd to revel in the moment, with fans mobbing the players.

Stunning Reversal

The result capped an unbelievable turnaround given the Welsh side had been behind 2-0 during the second half. Amid the celebrations, there was some collateral damage. Galbraith explained, "There was a fan trying to get our attention and we were thinking: 'What's he on about here?' Then we saw the glasses. It was a bit of banter putting them on. We are on the pitch as footballers but we're humans, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

The result earned a next round fixture at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, a team Galbraith came close against at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with the London side in February. The athletic midfielder had a prime vantage point when his former team took the lead in stunning style, with the attacker's volley from about 45 yards going in via the woodwork and the City goalkeeper. Many argued that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've given it to him for having a go from that far out," says Galbraith, who started in midfield before switching to right wing-back after the team changed tactics. That meant getting to grips with City's winger, with whom he exchanged jerseys, and the player was among the Manchester squad who complimented the way the underdogs approached the match.

Guardiola's System

"Fitness-wise they are exceptional but even the simple things and basic skills, they can just execute repeatedly," Galbraith says. "It feels like they always find their target and they know how to manage and take the sting out of a game. You can think you're all right and then without warning they will just deliver a through ball past your midfield without you even seeing. You have to be switched on at all times of the game. It requires a tough attitude and focus just to remain competitive."

New Chapter

The Welsh side sought to acquire Galbraith in January and secured his signature to bring him in in the summer in a significant move. He established himself as a crowd pleaser across two seasons at Orient and has swiftly done the same in his new home. At his previous team he joined forces once more with Richie Wellens, who previously gave Galbraith his first extended run in professional games on loan at Doncaster from United. Then came a spell at lower division the Manchester club, before he moved on from Manchester United.

Development Path

"I was probably a bit naive going into professional soccer. I think many athletes would say development squad matches is entirely separate. Sometimes it feels like possession is exchanged without serious challenge. There's not many physical contests. Once you start playing men's games you have to adjust fast."

National Team Success

He has shown that growth for club and country, shining for Northern Ireland, who are fighting to qualify for the World Cup next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has featured in the past five games, including home and away fixtures against Germany. The ex-coach, Galbraith's previous international manager, paid him the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he controls possession and his ability to spot a game-changing assist.

Humble Beginnings

This marks quite the ride for the youngster from the neighborhood in Glengormley, just outside Northern Ireland's main city, who used to see his parent, Stuart, also a central player, play for a local club.

Manchester United Experience

His single match for United came in Central Asia in 2019, a continental tournament trip to the Kazakh capital, where they featured on an plastic turf and the arena covering was closed owing to conditions of freezing cold. "That proved to be a extended travel and it was freezing," he says, chuckling. "The days leading up, myself and quite a few of the young lads trained together, so that assisted our preparation. Just to accompany the senior squad and get a couple of minutes at the end was incredible."

Leaving United

What was the challenge was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged a teenager? "This turned out relatively straightforward, because I got to the stage where I knew I wouldn't break through at the senior squad. I'm very appreciative for the time I spent there but it reached a stage where I believed I needed to go my own route, move to a lower level and play men's football. Now I'm gradually climbing the ladder."

New Environment

It is the early part of the afternoon at the team's practice facility but Galbraith has an appointment at the early evening: a learner's exam, another progress toward getting on the road. Until recently to Sketty, the 24-year-old was a constant rider in Swansea's so-called team minibus, a team vehicle driven by club employees, Pete and Howard, which ferries players to and from practice and games.

"It's myself a teammate, Ronald, the midfielder – a former passenger used to be in it but has got his license. It's pleasant to socialize with the lads but I'm planning to be the next one to stop using the bus and on the road. The Portuguese player enjoys practical jokes; he's constantly causing mischief."

Fan Interactions

When he represented Orient, Galbraith would travel alongside fans on the Tube after starting his journey at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim