TEEN ace Alex Gilbey proclaimed that his boyhood dreams are all coming true after his man of the match display helped the Exiles to Wembley.

The 18-year-old on loan from Colchester United produced a magnificent display beyond his tender years as Newport County overcame a stubborn Grimsby Town to reach the play-off final at Wembley and a showdown with Welsh rivals Wrexham.

Indeed, so good was Gilbey that his temporary manager Justin Edinburgh couldn’t resist comparing him to another popular 18-year-old around these parts.

“We had a fantastic prospect in Lee Evans and then had to sell him, but this boy (Gilbey) is on a par with him, he was outstanding all game and in the away game, he’s got something special,” Edinburgh explained.

“His energy, his composure, it speaks volumes for the boy and it looks good on me, like I’ve made the right decisions in picking him.

“He’s certainly justified the faith I showed in him and he’s in with a good shout of playing at Wembley too.”

Gilbey admitted his involvement and performances in the run-in for Newport have exceeded his expectations following his loan move on deadline day from the League One strugglers.

And it’s a case of double celebration for Gilbey after his parent club secured their third tier status at Scunthorpe’s expense on Saturday, at least giving the Mariners fans one thing to cheer this weekend.

“Over the two legs we deserved to win, the boys have been absolutely brilliant and it’s fantastic, such an amazing experience for me,” Gilbey explained.

“I am so thankful for this chance and hopefully I’ll be playing at Wembley, I’m already thinking about it now.

“I knew there was a chance this could happen when I joined but I really believe, with the fans behind us at Wembley we will have a good chance.

“Since I’ve arrived at the club the confidence is so high with the squad and it’s a perfect weekend for me with my parent club Colchester staying up as well.

“But for now my focus is 100 per cent on Wembley.

“Playing there is what every kid dreams about, to be living it now, it is genuinely a dream come true for me.

“Bring on Wembley, hopefully it’ll be an amazing day for us and for the fans.”