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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he remembers the nail-biting final moments of his team's epic comeback victory against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. That match ended with Galbraith temporarily wearing a fan's glasses following the pitch-side pile-on.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a long-range strike from 25 yards, and his teammate immediately slammed home the loose ball before sprinting toward the home end to mark the goal, with the crowd congregating around the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

This capped an incredible comeback given the Welsh side had found themselves down 2-0 during the final 45 minutes. During the delirium, there was some collateral damage. Galbraith explained, "There was a fan sort of calling out and Josh Key and I were wondering: '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 athletes but we're individuals, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

That win booked a next round fixture at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, opponents Galbraith pushed hard at the equivalent round of the FA Cup with his former club in February. The athletic midfielder had a prime vantage point when the underdogs took the lead in remarkable manner, with Jamie Donley's long-range effort from about 45 yards going in via the crossbar and the opposition keeper. It seems unfair 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 range," commented Galbraith, who played in the middle before moving to right flank after they changed formation. That meant getting to grips with the England international, with whom he exchanged jerseys, and the winger was among the Manchester squad who complimented the way his former team played positively.

Opponent's Class

"Physically they are outstanding but even the fundamentals and basic skills, they can just perform consistently," Galbraith says. "It seems as if they complete every delivery and they understand how to manage and neutralize a game. You can think you're doing well and then without warning they will just fizz a pass past your midfield without you even spotting it. You have to be alert at all times of the game. It demands a strong mentality and concentration just to stay in the game."

New Chapter

The club pushed to sign Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to secure him in the summer in a significant move. He made a name as a crowd pleaser across multiple campaigns at Orient and has swiftly done the same in south Wales. At his previous team he joined forces once more with Richie Wellens, who earlier gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in first-team action on loan at Doncaster from United. Then came a spell at League Two Salford, before he departed Manchester United.

Development Path

"I was probably a bit naive going into men's football. I think many athletes would say development squad matches is entirely separate. Sometimes it feels like the ball is moved without serious challenge. There are limited physical contests. Once you start playing professional matches you have to adapt rapidly."

National Team Success

He has demonstrated that maturation for both domestically and internationally, shining for his national side, who are fighting to qualify for the global tournament next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has featured in the last several matches, including home and away encounters against Germany. Ian Baraclough, Galbraith's previous international manager, gave him the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he manipulates the ball and his ability to spot a game-changing assist.

Humble Beginnings

It has been an incredible journey for the youngster from the neighborhood in Glengormley, just outside Northern Ireland's main city, who grew up watching his parent, the elder Galbraith, also a engine room operator, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Manchester United Experience

The player's only game for United came in Kazakhstan in 2019, a continental tournament trip to Astana, where they played on an artificial pitch and the arena covering was shut owing to temperatures of -15C. "It was a extended travel and it was cold out there," he recalls, grinning. "The preceding week, 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 unbelievable."

Leaving United

How difficult was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged a teenager? "The decision proved quite easy, because I reached the point where I realized I wasn't going to make it at the senior squad. I'm hugely grateful for the time I spent there but it reached a stage where I thought I had to take a different path, move to a lower level and play professional soccer. Now I'm gradually working my way back up."

New Environment

It is the early part of the afternoon at the club's training ground but Galbraith has somewhere to be at 5pm: a driving theory test, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Before his recent move to Sketty, the young professional was a frequent passenger in Swansea's dubbed team minibus, a team vehicle driven by club employees, Pete and Howard, which ferries players to and from training and matches.

"I travel with Gonçalo Franco, another squad member, an Ivorian player – a former passenger used to be in it but has got his license. It's pleasant to interact with the guys but I'm hoping to be the following person to stop using the bus and on the road. His teammate enjoys practical jokes; he's constantly causing mischief."

Fan Interactions

During his time at Orient, Galbraith would mix with fans on the Tube after commuting at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim