Nathan Ashmore is ready to prove himself as the best goalkeeper in National League South when Ebbsfleet start their title quest against Poole Town on Saturday.

Ashmore played 13 games for Fleet at the end of last season following his move from Gosport Borough.

He’s got high hopes for both the team and himself over the next nine months and can’t wait to get started.

Ashmore said: "The main objective is to win the league. Promotion would be amazing but winning it would be even better.

"On a personal note, I want to keep improving. I’ve got aspirations of playing full-time and going into the Football League.

"For the club, I’d like to keep as many clean sheets as possible and concede the fewest amount of goals in the season.

"At Gosport, we aimed as high as possible, for the play-offs but it’s a little bit different here because we’re favourites.

"We have to work even harder and prove to everyone why we are favourites."

Ashmore experienced the extreme highs and lows of football in the space of six days at the end of last season.

He was Fleet’s penalty hero in the play-off semi-final win over Whitehawk but could only stand and watch as his opposite number Lee Worgan saved from Danny Kedwell to settle the final in Maidstone’s favour.

"That’s football for you," Ashmore said. "As a keeper, being in the middle of it, it was hard to take but it’s experience at the same time. We had a good summer, got over it and we’ve come back fresh and ready to go.

"I’m excited to get the season going. We’ve trained hard through pre-season.

"It’s been brilliant. I feel sharper, quicker and I’m enjoying training in the morning. It’s good fun."

Read the full story in the Gravesend Messenger.