Ethan Galbraith breaks into a smile as he reminisces about the dramatic dying seconds of his team's epic comeback win against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. That match ended with Galbraith briefly donning a spectator's eyewear following the on-field celebration.
With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith struck the post with a long-range effort from 25 yards, and the defender immediately converted the loose ball before sprinting toward the home end to celebrate, with the crowd mobbing the players.
Stunning Reversal
The victory capped an extraordinary comeback given the team had been behind 2-0 during the final 45 minutes. In the euphoria, there was some unintended consequences. The midfielder recalled, "There was a fan sort of calling out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were wondering: '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 players but we're humans, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."
Premier League Giants
The victory booked a next round fixture at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, a team Galbraith ran close at the equivalent round of the FA Cup with the London side in February. He had a prime vantage point when the underdogs took the lead in stunning style, with Jamie Donley's volley from about 45 yards going in via the crossbar and the opposition keeper. It feels criminal that it was credited as an own goal.
"You would have expected they would've awarded it to him for attempting the shot from that distance," says Galbraith, who began the game centrally before moving to right wing-back after they changed tactics. That meant facing off against Jack Grealish, with whom he swapped shirts, and the winger was among the opposition who complimented the way the underdogs approached the match.
City's Quality
"Fitness-wise they are very good but even the simple things and routine actions, they can just do it over and over again," the midfielder notes. "It feels like they complete every delivery and they understand how to dictate and take the sting out of a game. You can think you're all right and then abruptly they will just deliver a through ball between defenders without you even noticing. You have to be alert throughout of the game. It demands a strong mentality and concentration just to keep pace."
Swansea Move
Swansea pushed to sign Galbraith in January and beat off competition to sign him in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He made a name as a fans' favourite across two seasons at Orient and has quickly achieved similar status in Wales. At his previous team he joined forces once more with Richie Wellens, who previously gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in senior football on loan at a League One side from United. Then came a spell at League Two Salford City, before he moved on from Manchester United.
Learning Curve
"I was perhaps a bit naive going into men's football. I think many athletes would say youth team games is completely distinct. Sometimes it appears play is circulated without real physicality. You see few hard challenges. Once you start playing professional matches you have to adapt rapidly."
International Recognition
His progress reflects that maturation for his team and nation, excelling for his national side, who could still reach the World Cup next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has featured in the recent fixtures, including two matches fixtures against a football powerhouse. The ex-coach, Galbraith's former international manager, gave him the supreme accolade, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he handles the football and his ability to spot a game-changing assist.
Early Days
This marks an incredible journey for the youngster from the local area in his hometown, just outside the capital, who used to see his parent, Stuart, also a midfielder, play for Ballyclare Comrades.
Manchester United Experience
The player's only game for Manchester United came in Central Asia in 2019, a European competition trip to the host city, where they featured on an synthetic surface and the venue ceiling was sealed owing to the weather of bitter cold. "That proved to be a extended travel and it was freezing," he says, smiling. "The preceding week, myself and quite a few of the young lads practiced as a group, so that assisted our preparation. Just to join the main group and get a couple of minutes at the end was incredible."
Leaving United
How hard was it to depart Manchester United, the club he joined from Linfield aged 16? "This turned out fairly simple, because I arrived at the moment where I knew I wasn't going to make it at the top level. I'm extremely thankful for the years at the club but it became apparent where I believed I needed to go my own route, move to a lower level and play first-team games. Now I'm slowly working my way back up."
Life in Swansea
This occurs during mid-afternoon at the club's training ground but Galbraith has a commitment at the early evening: a road rules assessment, another step towards getting on the road. Before his recent move to the local area, the mid-twenties player was a constant rider in Swansea's dubbed fun bus, a minibus driven by team personnel, the drivers, which ferries players to and from sessions and fixtures.
"My companions include a teammate, Ronald, Malick Yalcouyé – Melker Widell used to be in it but has got his license. It's pleasant to socialize with the teammates but I'm hoping to be the following person to drive independently and behind the wheel. His teammate is known for his humor; he's constantly causing mischief."
Fan Interactions
During his time at Leyton Orient, Galbraith would mix with fans on public transport after starting his journey at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim
