Rotherham begin their Emirates FA Cup journey away to non-league Maidenhead United on Saturday afternoon and you can find all of the key information ahead of the clash below...
Fixture: Maidenhead United V Rotherham United
Competition: Emirates FA Cup
Date: Saturday 9th November 2019
Kick-Off: 3:00pm
Venue: York Road
Referee: O. Yates
Maidenhead United
Form: WDWWDL
League Position: 16th in Vanarama National League
Top Scorer: Daniel Whitehall (7)
After overcoming Wealdstone United in the Fourth Qualifying Round, Maidenhead have been awarded with a first-round home clash against League One opposition.
It did take the National League outfit two legs to get the better of their National League South counterparts, but they confidently got the job done away from home.
Maidenhead have been in good form as of late, buta difficult run towards the start of the season means that the Magpies are languishing down in 16th place.
In fact, through the whole of September towards the middle of October, Alan Devonshire’s men collected only two points from eight games, with almost all their losses coming within this period.
However, Maidenhead have somewhat seemed to get their season back on track, despite losing 2-0 to Aldershot Town in their last game, as they look to reach the Emirates FA Cup Second Round for the first time in their history.
Goalkeeper Chris Dunn and defender Alan Massey could be omitted from the starting eleven following their costly errors in the previous defeat.
Rotherham United
Form: WWLWLW
League Position: 10th
Top Scorer: Matt Crooks (7)
As the Millers were a Championship opposition last season, they started the competition in the third round, but they were arguably handed the toughest tie of them all at the Etihad Stadium and Paul Warne's men fell to defeat against Premier League Champions Manchester City.
Things look a lot easier on paper this time around, but despite the Millers recording a convincing 3-0 victory at Gillingham in their previous outing, Warne isn't expecting Maidenhead to be pushovers.
Matt Crooks put in a fine display at the Gills with a remarkable brace and, with Warne stating he will play the strongest team he possibly can, Crooks could be the key to send Rotherham through to the next round.
Defender Adam Thompson could make his much-awaited return from injury, but Clark Robertson is again unlikely to feature.
Left-back Joe Mattock still isn’t in training and young Irishman Trevor Clarke won’t be available for the trip.
One to watch: Daniel Whitehall
Club top scorer Danny Whitehall appears to be the biggest threat to Rotherham’s ambitions of reaching the next round of the competition.
The 24-year-old has scored an impressive seven goals this season after he was signed on a free transfer in the summer.
The centre-forward has played lots of his football in the United States, playing for the likes of Chattanooga FC amongst others.
Whitehall last played English football for Southport during the 2014/15 season, but he seems to be handling the rigours of the National League much better this time around.
Talk
Paul Warne: “We are definitely not underestimating the opposition that is for sure. You know all of our backgrounds, but mine especially, I played non-league for years so I have full respect for them.
“I don't even think it is non-league anymore in that most of the teams in there [National League] are full-time.
“Rich went and watched them on a Tuesday night the other week and we've got video footage of them for three games so we're doing as much hard work as we can and I will pick the strongest team I possibly can.
Coverage
The Rotherham United Twitter feed will be providing live updates for the entirety.
Reaction will be available on the official website post-match, as well as on iFollow and social media.