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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he reminisces about the dramatic closing stages of Swansea's remarkable turnaround win against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup. That match culminated with Galbraith picking up a supporter's spectacles following the on-field celebration.

During the final moments of stoppage time, Galbraith struck the post with a long-range strike from 25 yards, and his teammate promptly hammered in the loose ball before sprinting toward the East Stand to celebrate, with supporters swarming the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

This capped an extraordinary comeback given Swansea had found themselves down 2-0 during the final 45 minutes. In the euphoria, there was some minor mishaps. The midfielder recalled, "There was a spectator trying to get our attention and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were thinking: '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 athletes but we're people, too, so to have a joke with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

The result secured a upcoming match at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, a club Galbraith pushed hard at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with his former club in February. Galbraith had arguably the best view when Orient took the lead in spectacular fashion, with the attacker's volley from about 45 yards going in via the woodwork and the opposition keeper. It seems unfair that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have wished they would've awarded it to him for attempting the shot from that range," says Galbraith, who played in the middle before moving to right flank after they changed shape. That meant facing off against the England international, with whom he traded tops, and the attacker was among the Manchester squad who complimented the way the underdogs attacked the game.

City's Quality

"Athletically they are exceptional but even the fundamentals and routine actions, they can just do it over and over again," the midfielder notes. "It feels like they never miss a pass and they understand how to dictate and take the sting out of a game. You can feel you're holding your own and then suddenly they will just deliver a through ball through a line without you even spotting it. You have to be switched on every second of the game. It takes a strong mentality and attention just to stay in the game."

New Chapter

The Welsh side sought to acquire Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to bring him in in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He established himself as a popular figure across multiple campaigns at his former club and has swiftly done the same in Wales. At Orient he joined forces once more with his former manager, who previously gave Galbraith his first extended run in professional games on loan at a League One side from Manchester United. Then came a spell at League Two Salford City, before he moved on from his boyhood club.

Learning Curve

"I was probably a somewhat inexperienced going into senior level. I think a lot of players would say youth team games is very different. Sometimes it feels like possession is exchanged without real physicality. There's not many tackles or duels. Once you start playing men's games you have to learn quickly."

Country Call-ups

He has shown that development for his team and nation, performing well for the Green and White Army, who remain in contention for the World Cup next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has started the past five games, including home and away fixtures against the German national team. His former international manager, Galbraith's ex- international manager, offered the supreme accolade, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he manipulates the ball and his knack for a decisive through ball.

Early Days

This represents a remarkable path for the kid from the Queens Park estate in the Belfast suburb, just outside Belfast, who grew up watching his father, his father, also a midfielder, play for a local club.

Red Devils Debut

The player's only game for Manchester United came in Central Asia in 2019, a continental tournament trip to the host city, where they played on an plastic turf and the arena covering was shut owing to temperatures of freezing cold. "That proved to be a extended travel and it was freezing," he recalls, grinning. "The days leading up, the academy prospects worked out jointly, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to travel with the first team and get a couple of minutes at the end was incredible."

Moving On

How hard was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he transferred from aged 16? "This turned out fairly simple, because I reached the point where I knew I wasn't going to make it at the top level. I'm very appreciative for the time I spent there but it got to the point where I believed I had to take a different path, move to a lower level and play men's football. Now I'm gradually progressing again."

New Environment

It is mid-afternoon at the team's practice facility but Galbraith has somewhere to be at the early evening: a driving theory test, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Until recently to his new neighborhood, the 24-year-old was a regular in Swansea's so-called fun bus, a team vehicle driven by club employees, Pete and Howard, which transports players to and from training and matches.

"I travel with a teammate, another squad member, the midfielder – a former passenger used to be in it but has begun using his own car. It's nice to interact with the guys but I'm planning to be the next one to stop using the bus and on the road. His teammate is known for his humor; he's constantly causing mischief."

Supporter Connections

While playing for Orient, Galbraith would mix with supporters on public transport after beginning his trip at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim