It’s a familiar opponent for Emley as Maltby of course, were Emley’s last opponents of the 2022-23 season when Emley beat Main to lift the Sheffield and Hallamshire cup at Doncaster in May.

Emley finished 3rd last season, just missing out on an inter-step play off that could have seen them promoted, they lost out in the end by 4 points to Winterton Rangers, who sealed promotion with a win at Coggeshall Town in the play off.

Richard Tracey’s men will look to go one better this time and seal promotion, with 1 automatic place available, there will be a straight top 4 play off to determine who goes up alongside the champions and Emley hope to be right in the mix.

But Maltby will want to gain some sort of revenge for May’s cup final defeat, it was Maltby’s second successive county cup final defeat, they went down 0-3 to Worksop Town in 2022’s final.

The Miners have had the better of the league clashes between the sides, winning 2 and drawing 2 of the 4 league meetings since Emley’s promotion to the NCEL Premier Division in 2022, remarkably, this season is Main’s 20th consecutive season at this level, they won promotion from Division 1 in 2004 and have finished as high as 5th twice.

HEAD TO HEAD
Last time- 20th May 2023, Sheffield and Hallamshire Cup Final, Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster.
Maltby 0-2 Emley (P.Walker, I.Gooden) Att- 640.

2022/23 Position- Maltby 13/20, Emley 3/20
2022/23 League average attendance- Maltby 102, Emley 353

MATCHDAY INFORMATION
WHEN? Saturday 29th July 3.00pm
WHERE? Muglet Lane, Maltby, Rotherham, S66 7JQ.
HOW DO WE GET THERE? Exit M18 at J1/A631. Two miles into Maltby, right at traffic lights at Queens Hotel corner on to B6427 Muglet Lane. Ground ¾mile on left.
Public transport- Rotherham Central station 8¾ miles- First South Yorkshire X1 from Rotherham (Corporation Street, 5 minutes’ walk from station) to Maltby (Outgang Lane, Muglet Lane) three times per hour, journey time 49 minutes. Return bus runs from same stop. Bus stop is opposite ground.

OWW MUCH? Adults £5, Concessions £3, U16s free

NON LEAGUE DOGS ALLOWED? YES on a lead.