Nathan Ashmore made a winning start to his Ebbsfleet career on Saturday but the goalkeeper admitted it was hard facing his former club first up.

Ashmore left Gosport Borough on Wednesday to join Fleet for an undisclosed fee and was picked to play against them at Stonebridge Road just three days later.

Ebbsfleet won 2-0, with Ashmore making three excellent saves and dominating his penalty area.

He said: "It’s a great start, the best start I could have asked for.

"It was mentally hard against my old team-mates, definitely.

"I wish them all the best and I’ve had a great career down there but as soon as the whistle went, I had to focus. This is my new team now.

"It was weird, going from playing with them on Tuesday night to playing against them on Saturday.

"It was definitely a weird feeling but I’m glad to be here and that we got the three points."

McMahon had no qualms about Ashmore facing Gosport in his first game.

The Ebbsfleet boss said: "Just from meeting him the first time and speaking to him, there wasn’t any doubt that he wanted to play. He was desperate to get in and try to help us on our quest to win the league.

"I thought he was terrific. He made a very good save in the second half, his kicking was good, his organising was good with the back-four and I thought it was a good debut in difficult circumstances.

"He was delighted to get the game out of the way because it’s a really odd one to play against a team you were playing for two or three days ago. He did really well."

Gosport manager Alex Pike was equally impressed by the goalkeeper's display.

He said: "The lads said they couldn’t believe the save Nathan made from George Barker - but I can. He’s a quality goalkeeper and that’s why Ebbsfleet bought him.

"I’ve got to congratulate Ebbsfleet on the way they dealt with their business. They’re a professional club on and off the field and the dealings I’ve had with Ebbsfleet, I can only be full of admiration for them.

"This club deserves to be at National level, if not higher. I wish them luck and I honestly think they’ve got the best goalkeeper in Nathan Ashmore.

"Now that Nathan’s a little bit nearer to London, I don’t think Ebbsfleet will keep him for too much longer and maybe my 25% sell-on clause will be even better because I think he’ll get snapped up by a local pro club.

"I’ve had the lad for five years and I’ve never seen, in five years, a better goalkeeper at our level.

"With Ebbsfleet, and the professionalism behind them, I think they could take him on to the next level. The fact they’re full-time, it’s something I couldn’t offer him. With full-time training, he’s only going to improve."