COLCHESTER United battled their way to a 15th-place finish in League Two, this season.

They have come up against some top teams and impressive individual performers, during the course of the campaign.

Luke Hawkins takes a closer look at some of the leading players in the fourth tier, in the 2021-22 season.

PLAYER OF THE SEASON: KANE WILSON – FOREST GREEN

45 Apps, 3 Goals, 13 Assists, League Winner

FROM wing-back, Wilson (pictured below) has the joint-most assists in the league with his progressive dribbling and dangerous passes.

He has only missed one game for the eventual champions and is one of only 15 players in the division to have played more than 4,000 minutes in league matches.

His performances are said to have attracted attention from Championship side Birmingham City.

Gazette:

YOUNG PLAYER OF THE SEASON: FINN AZAZ – NEWPORT COUNTY

34 Apps, 7 Goals, 6 Assists

MAINLY featuring in midfield or as a number ten, Finn Azaz has been an effective contributor from midfield for the Exiles at just 21 years old.

The loanee from Aston Villa on average produces 2.6 shots per match and nearly two key passes per 90 minutes.

He has the ability to control a game with his passing but his best performance of the season arguably came against Port Vale who currently find themselves in the play-off places.

He scored and assisted a goal in a 2-1 victory away at Vale Park, in a man-of-the-match performance.

Gazette:

Skilful - Finn Azaz has shone for Newport County this season Picture: DAVID DAVIES/PA WIRE

TOP SCORER: DOMINIC TELFORD – NEWPORT COUNTY

25 Goals

DESPITE not being as prolific in the closing stages of the season, Telford’s incredible goalscoring record this term has seen him end the season as League Two’s top goalscorer.

His excellent attacking movement and finishing saw him score in eight consecutive games, from late October and through November.

This run included a hatt-rick against Stevenage and three man-of-the-match performances.

The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and Newport are doing all they can to get him to sign a new contract.

TOP ASSISTS: MITCHELL PINNOCK – NORTHAMPTON

13 Assists

AFTER making an assist in his last match against Barrow, Pinnock drew level with the EFL League Two player of the season on 13 assists.

The attacking midfielder has also chipped in with nine goals this season and has scored in both fixtures against league runners-up Exeter City.

After moving from Kilmarnock last summer, he has become a key contributor for the Cobblers and will be vital if they are to earn promotion from the play-offs this season.

Gazette:

MOST CLEAN SHEETS: LIAM ROBERTS – NORTHAMPTON

21 Clean Sheets

NORTHAMPTON have an incredible defensive record this season, finishing the league as the only club to concede under 40 league goals with a total of 38.

Liam Roberts has been key to that record, having played every League Two fixture this season and keeping an impressive 21 clean sheets.

Since his move from Walsall last June, he has also earned the fans’ appreciation, earning the Cobblers' fan-voted player of the season award.

BEST DEFENDER: JON GUTHRIE– NORTHAMPTON

21 Clean Sheets

PLAYING in front of Liam Roberts at Northampton Town has been the influential Jon Guthrie.

On average, he has made the third most clearances in the league, is in the top-ten players for aerial duels won, and only averages 0.5 fouls per 90 minutes.

The centre-back has also been part of a defence that influences the game at both ends of the pitch, as he has scored eight goals this season.

An all-round brilliant presence at the centre of defence, who is also the only player in the division to reach double digits in man-of-the-match performances this term, with a staggering ten.