Stoneywood’s fresh approach gives team reason to be cheerful
Last season’s strugglers are reinvigorated
STONEYWOOD-DYCE captain Shaun Coetzer was pleased with his side’s opening-day win last weekend in the CSL Eastern Premiership and now he is looking to build on it this afternoon.
Having finished third bottom in 2014 and then losing key players Michael Leask and Elton Willemse to league rivals Autoecosse Forfarshire and Arbroath respectively over the winter, many observers thought that the Peoples Park men may struggle this summer.
However, Coetzer and other members of the committee have worked hard to put in place a more structured training regime, while a handful of new players have arrived at the club.
A number of them, including Jack Mitchell, who scored 46 not out and Akhlaq Bashir who made 49, were in fine form seven days ago as they chased down a victory target of 187 to defeat RH Corstorphine.
And with promising youngsters set to be given a chance in the first XI and Australian seamer Josh Fidler an exciting find, Coetzer is looking forward to today’s match at Heriot’s.
He said: “We have talked a lot about getting off to a good start this season and really hitting the ground running.
“With new players in the team and a quartet of top quality coaches running training now, things have been freshened up and guys seem to be enjoying their cricket again.”
Andrew Maclaren is set to come into the Stoneywood-dyce team to keep wicket in this one.
For the encounter at Goldenacre, Heriot’s have teenager Alex Anderson coming into the team for Hamish Macleod.
Carlton are set to be boosted by the return of skipper Gordon Drummond for their home match against RH Corstorphine.
The all-rounder missed last week’s win at Arbroath due to a calf injury, but comes into the team along with young spinner Chayank Gosain, seamer Omar Ahmad and new recruit Mike Raikes.
Drummond said: “I was really pleased with the way the guys dug in to win at Arbroath last week because it is never an easy place to go and win.
“It is also good to have Steve Gilmour back at the club. He is coaching and playing and, with a number of experienced players in our squad, it means that we will look to blood a few more young players into first XI duties in the coming months when they are ready.”
RH Corstorphine make the trip to Grange Loan with spinner Greg Gilbert coming in for Cameron Leeder, who has returned to Australia.
Aberdeenshire and Forfarshire both had good wins last week and they meet at Mannofield.
The hosts have George Gill, a new arrival from Aberdeen University, replacing the unavailable Mark Assiter, while Forfarshire’s team is unchanged.
Mazars Grange have former skipper Neil Mccallum back as they welcome Arbroath to Portgower Place. The experienced Stuart Davidson also comes in, while Fraser Burnett and Blair Carnegie are named in the visiting XI.
Falkland travel to Myreside to take on Watsonians unchanged while, for the home side, young Tom Dryden comes in for Tom Cullen.