Match preview: Rotherham v York City - Johnstone’s Paint Trophy (From York Press)

Match preview: Rotherham v York City - Johnstone’s Paint Trophy

11:20am Tuesday 4th September 2012 in Sport By Dave Flett, Sports reporter

WELSH international Craig Morgan is likely to be handed his Rotherham United debut in tonight’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy first round home clash against York City.

Morgan, who has won 23 caps for his country, signed for the Millers yesterday in a deal that was permitted outside of the transfer window as he was without a club after Preston agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent last Friday.

The 27-year-old defender, signed for £400,000 by the Deepdale outfit from Peterborough two years ago, is expected to be one of “four or five changes” that Rotherham manager Steve Evans has pledged to make following Saturday’s 4-0 thumping of Bradford.

Evans is keen to rest several of his players in this competition although ex-City goalkeeper Andy Warrington’s chances of enjoying a first start of the season may rest on how the former Crawley and Boston boss applies the tournament’s rules on squad rotation.

Teams must field six players that started in their previous league match and, with centre-back Kari Arnason already ruled out due to international duty with Iceland, if Evans names Warrington, now 36, between the sticks instead of first-choice Scott Shearer that would limit him to three voluntary outfield changes.

Strikers Kayode Odejayi and Daniel Nardiello are both likely to play no part, while three-goal top scorer Ben Pringle, centre-back Ian Sharps and midfielder Gareth Evans are other candidates to rest.

Those in contention for a recall include forward pair Alex Revell and Kieran Agard, as well as centre-back Johnny Mullins and midfielder Jason Taylor.

Rotherham, who are currently fifth in the League Two standings, are yet to concede a goal at their New York Stadium, which opened for the new season.

The Millers have enjoyed crushing victories there against Burton (3-0) and Bradford (4-0), continuing an impressive run of home results that started last term at their temporary Don Valley Stadium home in Sheffield.

Since a 1-0 defeat to Torquay in front of their own supporters on March 13, United have won six and drawn one of their last seven home fixtures.

Attendances at the new stadium have also been impressive. More than 11,000 fans flocked through the turnstiles for both games so far, including Millers fan and World Cup final referee Howard Webb for the Bradford match.

The Millers have won the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy once, back in 1996, but fell at the first hurdle last season, following a 2-1 defeat to neighbours Sheffield United.

Rotherham (probable): Shearer, Bradley, Morgan, Mullins, Wilson, Ainsworth, Taylor, O’Connor, Pringle, Revell, Agard.

 

Match facts

This is the fourth time York City and Rotherham have been paired in this competition (Associate Members Cup).

In 1985/86, the sides drew 0-0 at Bootham Crescent in a group match and four years later at the same preliminary stage United won 3-1 at Millmoor.

The last meeting was in the northern area semi-final in 1995/96 when Rotherham United won 4-1 at home in front of 3,913.

City lined up on February 13, 1996, as follows: Kiely, McMillan, Atkinson, Pepper (Jordan), Tutill, Atkin, Murty, Bushell, Barnes, Peverell (Stephenson), Cresswell (Barras).

Nicky Peverell scored and United went on to win the event, then known as the Auto Windscreens Shield, that term.

It happened on September 4

1929: City’s first ever home game in the Football League ended in a 0-0 draw against Wrexham. The crowd at Fulfordgate was 8,726.

1937: Rotherham United were beaten 4-1 at Bootham Crescent with Ted Hathway, Fred Scott, Reg Baines and Peter Spooner on the scoresheet in front of 7,395.

1950: Matt Patrick (2) and John Linaker scored in a 3-0 home victory over Accrington Stanley watched by 7,417.

1961: City went top of the Fourth Division with a 2-1 win over Exeter City at Bootham Crescent. The crowd was 9,334 and on target were Peter Wragg and Barry Pierce.

1965: Eamon Dunphy was the match winner in a 1-0 success at Brentford in Division Three (League One). The crowd at Griffin Park was 10,467.

1971: Paul Aimson scored both goals in a 2-0 win at Brighton in front of 14,360 in the Third Division.

1981: Keith Walwyn netted on his home debut in a 2-1 win over Northampton Town in Division Four. The attendance was 2,086. The other marksman was Alan Waldron.

1999: City lost 1-0 at Millmoor to Rotherham in Division Three (League Two) in front of 3,171.

2004: City recorded their first away win in the Conference when they beat Dagenham & Redbridge 3-0 thanks to goals from Paul Groves and Darren Dunning (2).

2009: Peter Till and Leon Constantine scored in a 2-0 home win over Rushden & Diamonds watched by 2,306.

Compiled by David Batters