Joe Ellul starred in Maidstone’s win at Chelmsford after a midweek dressing-down from his manager.

Ellul missed the opening-day win over Hemel Hempstead through suspension after being sent off in what proved to be the final game of last season - the FA Trophy exit at Hornchurch in February.

Stones boss Hakan Hayrettin had taken the big defender to task at training but named him in the starting XI on Saturday and saw him produce a man-of-the-match display in a 2-1 victory.

“I thought he was outstanding,” said Hayrettin.

“I had words with Joe this week, I wasn’t happy with a particular situation, I’m openly going to say it, but I thought he was our best player on the pitch.

“There’s his response. I thought he was the best player on the park, by far.”

Ellul was one of Maidstone’s best players in the curtailed 2020/21 season.

Hayrettin thinks a lot of him but that was never going to stop him making his point.

“He now knows what I expect of him and he knows what he can expect from me,” said Hayrettin. “There’s no grey areas.

“If he can perform like that week in, week out, then we’ve got a winner in our ranks.

“Was he surprised I had words with him? No, not really.”

Dominic Odusanya also had a good day, capping an energetic display in midfield with his first Stones goal.

He’s taken his chance to impress, with Sam Corne out injured, and has been picked ahead of the returning Michael Phillips.

Hayrettin said: “Dominic is someone that probably not everyone wanted to have here, or wasn’t too sure.

"He’s learning his trade and I think if he continues to perform like that, he’s going to play a lot of games this year.

"But the squad comes first and if the team does well, the individual will flourish.

"We’ve got four midfield players fighting for two or three places and he’s taken his chance again today, so fair play to him."

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