Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he recalls the nail-biting dying seconds of his team's stunning fightback victory against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The game culminated with Galbraith picking up a spectator's eyewear following the post-goal scrum.
With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith cracked the upright with a long-range effort from 25 yards, and his teammate quickly converted the rebound before sprinting toward the East Stand to revel in the moment, with the crowd congregating around the players.
Extraordinary Turnaround
The result capped an extraordinary comeback given the team had been behind 2-0 deep into the final 45 minutes. In the euphoria, there was some collateral damage. The midfielder recalled, "There was a spectator shouting out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] 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 players but we're humans, too, so to have a joke with the fans is always good."
Pep Guardiola Test
The victory earned a fourth-round match at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, opponents Galbraith came close against at the same stage of the FA Cup with the London side in February. Galbraith had arguably the best view when Orient took the lead in stunning style, with Jamie Donley's long-range effort from about long distance going in via the woodwork and the Stefan Ortega. It seems unfair that it was credited as an own goal.
"You would have hoped they would've credited him for attempting the shot from that far out," says Galbraith, who played in the middle before shifting to right wing-back after Orient changed tactics. That meant competing with City's winger, with whom he exchanged jerseys, and the player was among the City players who complimented the way Orient approached the match.
Opponent's Class
"Fitness-wise they are very good but even the basics and basic skills, they can just do it over and over again," Galbraith says. "It feels like they never miss a pass and they know how to manage and slow down a game. You can believe you're holding your own and then suddenly they will just thread a ball through a line without you even seeing. You have to be alert throughout of the game. It requires a tough attitude and concentration just to keep pace."
Welsh Transition
The Welsh side pushed to sign Galbraith in January and secured his signature to sign him in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He made a name as a popular figure across two seasons at Orient and has quickly replicated that in Wales. At Orient he joined forces once more with Richie Wellens, who earlier gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in first-team action on loan at a League One side from United. Then came a loan at lower division Salford City, before he departed his boyhood club.
Learning Curve
"I was perhaps a slightly green going into professional soccer. I think a lot of players would say under-23s football is completely distinct. Sometimes it appears play is circulated without much intensity. There are limited tackles or duels. Once you start playing men's games you have to adjust fast."
National Team Success
His progress reflects that maturation for club and country, performing well for the Green and White Army, who are fighting to qualify for the global tournament next summer via the playoffs and for whom he has been selected in the recent fixtures, including home and away fixtures against Germany. The ex-coach, Galbraith's previous international manager, gave him the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he controls possession and his eye for a killer pass.
Early Days
This marks an incredible journey for the kid from the Queens Park estate in his hometown, just outside the capital, who used to see his dad, Stuart, also a central player, play for a local club.
Manchester United Experience
Galbraith's single match for the Red Devils came in the away trip in 2019, a Europa League trip to Astana, where they featured on an synthetic surface and the stadium roof was sealed owing to temperatures of freezing cold. "It was a extended travel and it was cold out there," he recalls, chuckling. "The preceding week, several youth players and I trained together, so that aided our adjustment. Just to join the main group and get a couple of minutes at the end was incredible."
Departing Old Trafford
How hard was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he transferred from aged 16? "It was quite easy, because I got to the stage where I knew I wouldn't break through at first-team level. I'm hugely grateful for the years at the club but it got to the point where I believed I had to take a different path, join a smaller club and play professional soccer. Now I'm steadily working my way back up."
Life in Swansea
This occurs during the middle of the day at the club's training ground but Galbraith has a commitment at 5pm: a driving theory test, another step towards getting on the road. Until recently to Sketty, the 24-year-old was a frequent passenger in Swansea's nicknamed player transport, a small coach driven by team personnel, the transport team, which ferries players to and from training and matches.
"I travel with the Portuguese player, Ronald, Malick Yalcouyé – Melker Widell used to be in it but has got his license. It's pleasant to spend time with the teammates but I'm aiming to be the next one to stop using the bus and driving. The Portuguese player enjoys practical jokes; he's frequently playing tricks."
Fan Interactions
While playing for Leyton Orient, Galbraith would travel alongside followers on the Tube after starting his journey at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim
