NEWPORT County teenager Aaron Collins couldn’t hide his delight after scoring on his full debut for the Exiles.

The 18-year-old who initially wasn’t even offered a scholarship deal with the club before flourishing last season, also had a hand in County’s second goal in their 2-2 draw with Teddy Sheringham’s Stevenage.

The County faithful serenaded the Newport-born youngster with cries of “he’s one of our own,” with Collins confessing only Boro’s late leveller ruined an otherwise perfect day.

“I am not happy about not getting the three points, but in the second half we put in a fantastic performance,” he said in his first interview.

“We were unlucky not to come away with the three points.

“Pre-season was exciting, I came on a lot as a sub and I scored goals, I got goals and that’s my job, that’s what I needed to do.

“Today I got my first start and I was delighted to get the goal and to be starting, getting the goal was amazing.

“The first half we didn’t play as well as we could have, and as we got on top in the second half we had our chances, but it just wouldn’t come for me, the ball got flicked off my foot and it wasn’t happening.

“But then I got the goal and got us back to 1-1 and it’s just a shame we couldn’t go on and get the three points.”

Collins is relishing the chance to perform on the big stage with several other graduates of the County youth academy.

“We’ve come up through together and it is strange being in a team with Regan who to me is just Regan my youth teammate,” he said.

“Coming on at Wolves with Tom (Owen-Evans) was nice, because it was two friends coming on, it was exciting.

“We are feel like we are the future of this football club, we feel so much more involved now.

“Through pre-season Terry has involved us so much, four of us from the U18s all playing League Two football, there isn’t much more you could ask for at this age.”

Collins is desperate for his friend Poole to remain at Rodney Parade.

“Regan is a fantastic player. He’s a year younger than me and he proved himself last season by playing more than ten games. He showed how good he was, he made hardly any mistakes,” he said.

“I’d love him to stay. He’s a good friend of mine. I’m playing well; he’s playing well, so it’s good.”

Collins is confident he can build on his scoring start.

“Experience should help me and change my game, the more I get the better,” he said.

“It was nice to score a goal against Teddy Sheringham’s side, he’s a great striker, getting the goal is an amazing feeling.”

Sheringham was impressed with the finish.

“It was a very good goal, when I’m watching a game I’m watching my team, but it was a very good goal. As an 18-year old, I’m sure he’ll be very pleased,” he told the Argus.