CEFN DRUIDS want to make The Rock a fortress - starting tonight against Flint Town United.

Head coach Bruno Lopes takes charge of his first competitive game on home turf this evening as Niall McGuinness’ newly-promoted Silkmen make the short trip to Wrexham.

It comes three days after Druids suffered late heartbreak at Bala as former Ancient, Nathan Peate, scored a stoppage time winner to secure a 2-1 home win for the Lakesiders.

“It was disappointing to concede a last minute goal,” said assistant head coach Jayson Starkey of his side’s first game in a delayed start to the season for Druids.

“There are lots of positives to take after we pushed a team who gave Standard Liege a good game last week a run for their money.

“Ultimately, we walked away with zero points and it’s up to us now to grind outA results and start picking up points.

“We want to make The Rock a fortress. We don’t want teams coming thinking that they are in for an easy game and we will be ready for Flint.”

Druids will be better having got a competitive game under their belt, but the Ancients won’t be taking Flint lightly.

“There’s no time to lick our wounds over the Bala defeat,” continued Starkey. “We will knuckle down and be ready for what Flint have to offer.

“We are under no illusions about what Flint can do. They are a good team who have recruited lots of quality signings in the summer.”

Flint themselves go into the game on the back of a defeat, McGuinness’ men slipping to a 3-1 loss at Aberystwyth on Friday night.

“We need a reaction,” said boss McGuinness, who saw his side take the lead through Conor Harwood before events took a turn for the worse.

“It’s up to us to put in a performance after not getting the result we wanted against Aberystwyth. We were nowhere near where we need to be in the second-half and we need to show character to bounce back.”

McGuinness, who was at Maes Tegid on Sunday in preparation for tonight’s clash with Druids, was pleased to see Harwood get off the mark in the Flint shirt.

“It will do him the world of good,” said McGuinness of the young striker, who made a summer move from reigning champions Connah’s Quay Nomads. “I was made up to see him score his first goal for the club.

“Hopefully Callum Bratley can get off the mark soon as well because he was unbelievable for us against Aberystwyth.”

Midfielder Rob Hughes remains suspended for Flint, who are waiting on international clearance for new signing Ben Steer.

The attacker will help fill the void left by Nathan Brown, the former Chester youngster having left the Essity Stadium in search for regular first-team football.

Nathan Craig, missing for the trip to Park Avenue due to personal reasons, will be back in the Flint squad.

Druids are hoping to receive international clearance of their own for Josh Green, Chris Azimall and Sam Phillips, although Aaron Simpson misses out after being sent-off at Bala.