NIALL McGUINNESS believes Flint Town United will get perfect chance to gauge their progress as Porthmadog visit Cae-y-Castell.

The two Cymru North title hopefuls clash in the second round of the top-flight’s League Cup with a spot in the last 16 up for grabs.

Not only is cup progression at stake, but Flint will be able to see how one of their rivals are shaping up tomorrow after Porthmadog finished a point and a place behind runners-up Silkmen in the second-tier last term.

“It will be good to see where we are at in a competitive game,” said boss McGuinness.

“They are a team who is usually at the top end of the table and that will be no different this year.

“They’ve signed some good players and they are organised, so it should be a good test.”

Flint have made a number of eye-catching signings, the likes of Danny Andrews heading to Flint from Colwyn Bay and Nathan Brown putting pen to paper after leaving Chester.

The duo, along with fellow new boys, Alex Titchener and Corey Smart, and last season’s top scorer, Mark Cadwallader, will be charged with improving Flint’s goal return.

McGuinness said: “We wanted to improve scoring for record this season. We had the second best defence behind Airbus, but only the joint-fifth best goals for, so we knew what we had to improve. The likes of Danny, Nathan and Alex will all help on that front.”

Brandon Burrows (suspended) and injured duo Tony Davies and Tom Hartley are set to miss out for Flint.

Corwen’s reward for beating Berriew 2-0 in last weekend’s first round is a ‘home’ clash with Caernarfon Town.

Goals from Tom Williams and Sam Henry secured Corwen a place in the second round, where they will face the Canaries at Bala’s Maes Tegid tomorrow.

Boss Danny Jellicoe is relishing the chance to see his side go toe-to-toe with a Caernarfon outfit that finished fourth in last season’s top-flight.

“We are really looking forward to it and it will be a huge test for us,” said Jellicoe. “They have got some really quality players, like Nathan Craig and Jamie Breese.”

On his side’s preparations for the next season, Jellicoe added: “We have got a bit of a smaller squad this season, through choice.”