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Ethan Galbraith breaks into a smile as he remembers the thrilling dying seconds of his team's epic comeback victory against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup. That match wrapped up with Galbraith temporarily wearing a spectator's eyewear amid the post-goal scrum.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith struck the post with a speculative shot from outside the box, and his teammate promptly converted the deflection before charging toward the home end to mark the goal, with the crowd mobbing the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

The victory sealed an incredible comeback given the Welsh side had found themselves down 2-0 deep into the final 45 minutes. In the celebrations, there was some collateral damage. The midfielder recalled, "There was a supporter trying to get our attention and Josh Key and I were thinking: 'What's he on about here?' Then we spotted the glasses. It was a funny incident putting them on. We are on the pitch as players but we're people, too, so to have a joke with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

The victory booked a fourth-round fixture at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, a team Galbraith ran close at the same stage of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. The athletic midfielder had arguably the best view when Orient took the lead in spectacular fashion, with Jamie Donley's first-time shot from about way out going in via the woodwork and the Stefan Ortega. It seems unfair that it was credited as an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've credited him for attempting the shot from that far out," commented Galbraith, who played in the middle before switching to right wing-back after Orient changed tactics. That meant competing with the England international, with whom he swapped shirts, and the player was among the City players who complimented the way Orient played positively.

Opponent's Class

"Athletically they are outstanding but even the fundamentals and simple things, they can just execute repeatedly," the midfielder notes. "It seems as if they always find their target and they are adept at control and slow down a game. You can feel you're all right and then suddenly they will just deliver a through ball between defenders without you even seeing. You have to be focused at all times of the game. It demands a resilient mindset and concentration just to remain competitive."

Welsh Transition

The Welsh side sought to acquire Galbraith in January and secured his signature to bring him in in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He established himself as a popular figure across multiple campaigns at Orient and has swiftly done the same in his new home. At the London club he linked up again with Richie Wellens, who earlier gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in senior football on loan at his loan club from United. Then came a temporary move at lower division the Manchester club, before he moved on from his boyhood club.

Learning Curve

"I was perhaps a somewhat inexperienced going into professional soccer. I think a lot of players would say under-23s football is entirely separate. Sometimes it seems possession is exchanged without serious challenge. There are limited physical contests. Once you start playing professional matches you have to adapt rapidly."

National Team Success

He has shown that maturation for his team and nation, performing well for Northern Ireland, 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 two matches games against the German national team. The ex-coach, Galbraith's previous international manager, gave him the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "creative maestro" given how he manipulates the ball and his ability to spot a game-changing assist.

Starting Out

This represents an incredible journey for the kid from the local area in the Belfast suburb, just outside Belfast, who grew up watching his father, his father, also a central player, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Manchester United Experience

His single match for the Red Devils came in the away trip in 2019, a European competition trip to the host city, where they featured on an artificial pitch and the stadium roof was shut owing to temperatures of -15C. "This represented a lengthy journey and it was freezing," he says, chuckling. "The days leading up, myself and quite a few of the young lads trained together, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to accompany the senior squad and get a couple of minutes at the end was unbelievable."

Departing Old Trafford

How difficult was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he joined from Linfield aged 16? "It was relatively straightforward, because I got to the stage where I understood I wouldn't break through at the top level. I'm hugely grateful for the years at the club but it became apparent where I felt I had to take a different path, move to a lower level and play men's football. Now I'm slowly working my way back up."

Welsh Adaptation

This occurs during mid-afternoon at the club's training ground but Galbraith has an appointment at late afternoon: a driving theory test, another progress toward getting on the road. Prior to relocating to Sketty, the mid-twenties player was a frequent passenger in Swansea's nicknamed fun bus, a small coach driven by academy staff, the transport team, which ferries players to and from practice and games.

"I travel with the Portuguese player, another squad member, an Ivorian player – Melker Widell used to be in it but has got his license. It's enjoyable to interact with the guys but I'm planning to be the following person to stop using the bus and behind the wheel. His teammate likes to pull a few pranks; he's frequently playing tricks."

Fan Interactions

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