Maidstone United midfielder Perri Iandolo praised by manager George Elokobi after making his debut in 2-0 defeat at Southend United

Local lad Perri Iandolo impressed on his Maidstone debut at Southend on Good Friday.

Iandolo, 20, played the final 12 minutes at Roots Hall, replacing Yoan Zouma, with United 2-0 down.

After progressing through the under-16s, under-18s and under-23s, the midfielder’s been on contract for the past two years, without making a first-team appearance.

But after loan spells at Faversham and Hemel Hempstead this season - the latter cut short by injury - new boss George Elokobi gave him his chance in front of a big National League crowd of 6,603.

“I’ve always said the door is open for all the players here,” said Elokobi.

“As long as I’m the manager of this football club, if you work hard, you’re going to be rewarded.

“It’s about keeping high standards and making sure you train well and today I thought it was the right time to give Perri a chance. If that’s his debut, well done.

“I thought he came on and played some good stuff.

“Hopefully we see plenty more of that from him.

“He has to make sure he keeps his fitness up and keeps working hard to develop his body, with the help of myself and the management team, and we’ll get him there.

“It was good to see him out there.”

If there were any nerves it didn’t show, with Iandolo looking at home in his first taste of National League football.

Elokobi added: “Well, I’ve been a soldier on the other side like Perri.

“Perri’s on a journey and that is why I always go back to keeping high standards and making sure you’re ready because you never know when that shout will come.

“We pick the team, the squad, based on how we see the opposition and the players we pick to start and the ones on the bench all have a role to play for us.

“When Regan Booty had to step in and do a job for the team