NIALL MCGUINNESS wants Flint Town United to help him achieve his best ever run in the competition by securing victory over Colwyn Bay tonight.

McGuinness has reached the fourth round of the Welsh Cup before, but that’s as far as the Flint boss has been - a statistic he’s hoping to end by leading the Silkmen into the quarter-finals.

“I’ve not made it past this round,” said McGuinness. “I’ve reached this stage of the competition, but then I’ve not been able to get through, so hopefully that will change.

“This is probably the furthest the club have got in recent seasons as well, so it would be great to get into the quarter-finals.

“There should be a good crowd for the game, it will be a big occasion for the club and hopefully we can get the right result.”

Flint booked their place in the last 16 with a memorable 2-0 success over top-flight big boys Bala Town.

“We’ve proved by beating Bala that anything can happen,” continued McGuinness. “We need to make sure that we perform to our best and get in the hat for the next round.”

Standing between Flint and a place in the quarter-finals is fellow Cymru North outfit Colwyn Bay, who claimed a 2-1 away win on their last trip to the Essity Stadium last month.

Flint won the first meeting between the two teams 1-0 back in August, and McGuinness expects a hotly contested tie given the prize at stake for the victors.

“We are looking forward to the tie,” said McGuinness.

“It’s the first time we’ve played them and I’ve had close to a fully fit squad, which is great.

“We expect an intense game because they have got good players, a good squad and good resources, highlighted by their new signings.

“I’ve seen them six times, including the games we’ve played against them, so I know all about them.”

While Colwyn Bay head to Flintshire on the back of a 2-1 home success over Ruthin, Flint were left kicking their heels.

Asked whether the rest is a good thing, McGuinness replied: “It can work both ways. You can either be caught cold or you can be ready and raring to go.

“The lads were frustrated not to have a game last weekend, so fingers crossed they will be ready and raring to go.”

The week break has allowed players to recover from knocks with Flint only set to be without Danny Andrews and Kyle Smyth, who has returned to training.

Corey Smart has also been recalled from his loan spell at Penycae to boost Flint’s options.

There is guaranteed to be another tier two team in the last eight with Cymru North leaders Prestatyn heading to Cymru South table toppers Swansea University tomorrow afternoon.