Portsmouth goalkeeper seeking Wembley return - and yet another promotion

The goalkeeper featured for Gosport in their FA Trophy final loss to Cambridge United in March 2014.

Now the 30-year-old is bidding to help Boreham Wood reach the National League play-off final.

Firstly, they need to dispose of Harrogate Town in Saturday’s semi-final (1.30pm).

Ashmore, who was part of the same Pompey youth team as Matt Ritchie and Joel Ward before being released, has carved out an impressive non-league career.

He has featured for United Services, the Hawks, Gosport and Ebbsfleet, winning promotions from Southern Division One, Southern Premier and Conference South.

Ashmore, who last month spoke to The News about the racial abuse he received growing up in Portsmouth, lives in Drayton and joined Boreham Wood on loan from Ebbsfleet in October.

However, he missed last Friday’s 2-1 play-off quarter-final victory over Halifax to serve a suspension following a sending off against Maidenhead in the final match before lockdown.

In his absence, former Bognor keeper Grant Smith deputised for the win which clinched a semi-final appearance.

Smith himself joined on loan from Lincoln in January, with last week’s fixture marking a second outing since his arrival.

But Ashmore will be hoping for a recall for Saturday’s crucial match against Harrogate Town – with a Wembley final at stake.

Pompey, of course, visited Harrogate earlier in the season in the FA Cup.

Kenny Jackett’s side ran out 2-1 winners in November’s first-round encounter, through goals from Brandon Haunstrup and Ronan Curtis.

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