AIDAN Connolly is the early leader of The Press Player of the Year and Month contests two games into the new season.

The Scottish winger, who turns 21 on Monday, was our choice as man of the match during the Minstermen's 1-1 draw at Maidstone last weekend, when he also topped the online Twitter poll as star performer, meaning he collected a maximum of five Player of the Month points.

Connolly followed those accolades by being The Press' second-highest rated player during Tuesday night's 1-0 home triumph over Macclesfield, which bagged him another two points towards both competitions.

Centre-back Jack Higgins was our top player in that victory, earning him three points.

He also received the two bonus Player of the Month points available after amassing the most online, man-of-the-match votes.

Matt Fry (one point) was recognised for his efforts against Macc as City's third highest-rated player.

At Maidstone, meanwhile, Simon Heslop (two points) and Clovis Kamdjo (one) were rewarded as our second and third-highest rated performers respectively.

The Press Player of the Year standings: Connolly 5, Higgins 3, Heslop 2, Fry 1, Kamdjo 1.

The August Press Player of the Month standings: Connolly 7, Higgins 5, Heslop 2, Fry 1, Kamdjo 1.

Goals: Kamdjo 1, Own Goal 1.

Assists: Connolly 1, Klukowski 1.

Bad boys: Fenwick, Higgins both one yellow card.