🔗 Share this article

Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he remembers the dramatic dying seconds of his team's epic comeback victory against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. The encounter culminated with Galbraith temporarily wearing a fan's glasses after the post-goal scrum.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith struck the post with a long-range effort from distance, and the defender promptly converted the loose ball before racing off toward the home end to mark the goal, with the crowd swarming the players.

Stunning Reversal

This sealed an incredible recovery given the Welsh side had trailed 2-0 deep into the final 45 minutes. Amid the euphoria, there was some minor mishaps. Galbraith explained, "There was a supporter sort of calling out and Josh Key and I were puzzled: 'What's he on about here?' Then we noticed the glasses. It was a funny incident putting them on. We are on the pitch as footballers but we're individuals, too, so to have a joke with the fans is always good."

Manchester City Challenge

The result booked a fourth-round match at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, opponents Galbraith came close against at the equivalent round of the FA Cup with the London side in February. The athletic midfielder had a prime vantage point when Orient took the lead in spectacular fashion, with Jamie Donley's long-range effort from about long distance going in via the crossbar and the opposition keeper. It seems unfair that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have wished they would've given it to him for taking the effort on from that distance," commented Galbraith, who began the game centrally before switching to right defensive wing after they changed shape. That meant getting to grips with City's winger, with whom he swapped shirts, and the player was among the City players who paid tribute to the way the underdogs played positively.

City's Quality

"Fitness-wise they are outstanding but even the fundamentals and simple things, they can just perform consistently," the midfielder notes. "It appears that they never miss a pass and they know how to manage and slow down a game. You can think you're all right and then suddenly they will just thread a ball past your midfield without you even spotting it. You have to be switched on at all times of the game. It requires a strong mentality and attention just to stay in the game."

New Chapter

The club were keen on Galbraith in January and secured his signature to secure him in the summer in a significant move. He made a name as a popular figure across multiple campaigns at Orient and has quickly replicated that in Wales. At his previous team he reunited with his former manager, who four years ago gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in professional games on loan at a League One side from Manchester United. Then came a loan at League Two Salford City, before he permanently left Old Trafford.

Development Path

"I was perhaps a bit naive going into men's football. I think many athletes would say youth team games is entirely separate. Sometimes it appears the ball is moved without serious challenge. There's not many tackles or duels. Once you start playing men's games you have to adapt rapidly."

Country Call-ups

He has demonstrated that development for his team and nation, excelling for Northern Ireland, who could still reach the global tournament next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has started the past five games, including home and away games against the German national team. Ian Baraclough, Galbraith's former international manager, paid him the supreme accolade, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he controls possession and his eye for a decisive through ball.

Starting Out

It has been a remarkable path for the kid from the Queens Park estate in the Belfast suburb, just outside Belfast, who used to see his dad, the elder Galbraith, also a central player, play for a local club.

Old Trafford Memory

The player's only game for the Red Devils came in Kazakhstan in 2019, a continental tournament trip to the host city, where they played on an plastic turf and the stadium roof was closed owing to conditions of bitter cold. "It was a extended travel and it was chilly," he says, grinning. "The week before, several youth players and I practiced as a group, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to accompany the senior squad and earn some playing time at the end was incredible."

Leaving United

How hard was it to depart Manchester United, the club he transferred from aged 16? "The decision proved relatively straightforward, because I got to the stage where I understood I couldn't establish myself at first-team level. I'm very appreciative for the years at the club but it got to the point where I thought I needed to go my own route, join a smaller club and play men's football. Now I'm gradually progressing again."

Life in Swansea

It is mid-afternoon at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has an appointment at late afternoon: a learner's exam, another progress toward getting on the road. Until recently to the local area, the 24-year-old was a frequent passenger in Swansea's dubbed team minibus, a small coach driven by club employees, the drivers, which transports players to and from training and matches.

"It's myself Gonçalo Franco, another squad member, an Ivorian player – a former passenger used to be in it but has begun using his own car. It's nice to spend time with the lads but I'm hoping to be the next one to stop using the bus and behind the wheel. The Portuguese player enjoys practical jokes; he's constantly causing mischief."

Supporter Connections

During his time at Leyton Orient, Galbraith would travel alongside supporters on the Tube after starting his journey at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim