Flint Town United boss Niall McGuinness has targeted Welsh Cup success at Flintshire rivals Buckley to ignite his side’s season.

McGuinness presided over a 2-1 defeat at Gresford in his first game in charge and is keen to atone with a derby victory at The Globe on Saturday.

The former Rhyl boss acknowledged that ‘massive improvements’ are required at Cae-y-Castell this term and is eager to inspire a swift change in the club’s fortunes.

He said: “We got a good insight into where we’re at after last week’s game at Gresford.

“The performance was disappointing overall and we know there are massive improvements to be made moving forward.

“It’s still early days and too early to make a big assessment of things straight away, but myself and Aden (Shannon) will be working hard with the lads to improve things quickly.

“The Welsh Cup is a competition we want to do well in and we know we need to be strong against Buckley to ensure we’re in the next round.

“We know a little bit about them and how well they’re doing right now.

“They’re in a good run of form and I’m sure that they’ll be targeting a win themselves in a derby game like this.”

Currently in the midst of a 12-game winning streak in all competitions, Buckley are the Welsh National League’s in-form side.

Manager Dan Moore is relishing the prospect of a potential upset on home soil and insists his side are in confident mood ahead of the clash.

He said: “It’s great to be involved in a big derby cup match like this one.

“We’re in strong form and even though Flint come here as favourites, it’s a chance for us to raise our game and test ourselves against higher league opposition.

“Our ethos at the club has changed this season with a lot more local players involved in our set-up. That’s established much more of a connection between the players and the club and has been key to our success this year.

“We know this it will be a challenge for our layers but it’s a game we are all looking ford to.

“I’m sure both sets of fans fans will come in decent numbers and generate a good atmosphere for the players. A big turnout would really help to support the club financially too.”

The return of up to six key players will boost Steve O’Shaughnessy’s selection options for Airbus’ home clash against Goytre.

Assistant boss Andy Thomas was critical of his depleted side’s performance in the heavy home defeat to Holywell last weekend where the visitors outclassed them.

The manner of defeat only exacerbated Thomas’s pre-match assertion that his side could go unbeaten for the rest of this term.

But with a full complement of players at their disposal Thomas is confident of a swift return to winning ways for his side, who brushed aside Saltney Town in round two.

He said: “We’ve been short of players in our last two games but with the players we have to come back it should be like a new team.

“Going into the Goytre game we’re looking to put this bad run behind us with a good attacking performance to restore some confidence.

“We know Goytre are having a good season in the Welsh Football League where they’re third in the table.

“They’ll come here and look to turn us over but with the personnel we have coming back I’m confident we can progress.”

Prolific striker Alfons Fosu-Mensah is among the players set to return for Airbus, along with key midfielders Ashley Williams and Ryan Edwards.

Huw Griffiths insists Cefn Druids will be fully prepared for the “thankless task” of tackling Llanrhaeadr.>hwf