FLINT TOWN UNITED must embrace their status as ‘massive underdogs’ in Saturday’s Welsh Cup clash with Bala Town, according to Niall McGuinness.

The Silkmen boss insists his side have nothing to lose in the third round tie, with all the pressure on their Welsh Premier League opponents.

The 7.30pm kick-off at Cae-y-Castell will be televised by S4C’s Sgorio, with the hosts out to cause a cup upset in front of the cameras.

The same fixture in the Nathaniel MG Cup in October culminated in a 6-1 hammering for the Cymru Alliance side, and McGuinness is under no illusions about the size of the task ahead.

He said: “It’s a huge game for the club.

“We know we’re up against it. Bala are an established top-flight side who know what it takes to win this trophy.

“But anything can happen in cup games. We’ve got home advantage and everyone involved with the club feels this is really big occasion for Flint.

“The game being on TV adds a little more spice to it as well.”

Flint advanced to round three with a 2-1 win at Llanrhaeadr, with goals in each half from Myles Hart and Richie Foulkes.

But the Silkmen’s good league form was derailed last week as a below-par showing resulted in a 3-0 defeat at Guilsfield.

“It wasn’t the ideal preparation for the Bala game,” McGuinness added.

“We were way off where we needed to be and hopefully we can put that down to a one-off.

“I don’t think there will be a repeat performance, because myself and Aden (Shannon) are fully focused on preparing the cup now.

“Everyone will see us as massive underdogs and we know we’ll have to produce a quality performance all over the pitch to progress.

Winners of the competition in 2017, Bala will be out to avoid a a shock exit when they head north tomorrow.

Lakesiders boss Colin Caton is adamant that October’s emphatic win over the same opposition will have no bearing on tomorrow’s game.

He said: “It’s a potential banana skin.

“The 6-1 in the League Cup was a false result, because they had six-or-seven players with Welsh Premier League experience out.

“It will be a totally different game on Saturday. If we play like we did in the first half versus Cefn Druids last weekend, we will go through.

“If we play like we did in the second half then we’ll be out. It will be a tough game.We have got to be at the races, otherwise we will be out.”

Versatile defender Myles Hart is Flint’s only injury doubt in an otherwise full-strength squad.

Third round action starts on Friday evening with eight-time winners Bangor City at home to Holyhead Hotspur.

Caernarfon Town make the trip to Bastion Road to face the resurgent Prestatyn Town.