Following a remarkable goalkeeping performance in a closely contested playoff against Gordonians some 12 months ago Wastonians 1st team found themselves the new boys in National League Division 2 Indoor for the 2014/15 season. After several previous displays of leadership and unbelievable tekkers Martin Daw was selected to Captain the side for the forthcoming season. It had nothing to do with him being first to volunteer.....

Expectations were fairly straight forward, play well and retain Division 2 status for next year. The season started very well as the first weekend brought two victories against Falkirk and Harris. Goals came from a variety of sources albeit Will 'ball in his pocket' Butler shouted loudest to let everyone know he found the back of the net several times. Martin Daw on the other hand was working his way to a traffic light of cards as a green card was closely followed by a yellow to then finally sit on the bench with a red face of shame.

The confidence of week one spilled into week 2 as we dispatched of last years division 3 winners Inverleith 2s. The winning streak didn't last long as we hit the wall against a well organised Menziehill 2's side who seemed at home on the gym floor.

After the new year week 3 saw a comfortable win over bottom side Stepps but costly defeats against Carnegie and Uddingston saw Watsonians drift from top spot to 4th.

The league was then split into two mini groups with results carried over. Watsonians (6 points) were placed in a mini group with Menziehill 2's (9 points), Inverleith 2's (3 points) and Stepps (0 points). Comfortable wins against Inverleith 2's and Stepps and a narrow defeat to Menziehill 2's meant a second placed finish in the group. Results in the other mini group meant a crossover game with Uddingston whilst Menziehill 2's faced Carnegie. Due to a 2nd team featuring who couldn't get promoted the message was simple, beat Uddingston and it would be top flight hockey next season.

The Uddingston game was a closely fought contest. Uddingston were one nil up at the stroke of half time when Watsonians were awarded a penalty corner. With the deadly accuracy and power of Fraser Sands drag flick we looked confident to go in to the break at 1 all. However as we lined up to take the corner the Uddingston coach was at the technical desk handing out sweeties and treats and at the same time pointing out that time had gone beyond the allotted time. Suddenly the umpires deciding to reverse time and the corner was not awarded. The second half was not so good. Uddingston took advantage of Watsonians players switching off and before
we know it we were 5-1 down. Will ' the pitbull' Butler decided to give
some choice words to the Uddingston bench before opting to pull the GK and go 5 outfield. A stroke of genius perhaps? Almost as we battled back to 5-3. As time ticked we pushed on but to no avail. Gaps opened and the game ended 8-3. Disappointing but a fair result to a well organised Uddingston. Promotion was not dead in the water but Scottish Hockey decided that 3rd 4th place should be decided by a penalty shoot out. Oh no sorry Charlie McCartney it penalty shuttles isn't it???? 3 brave and able Watsonians players stepped up to take on the substitute Carnegie goalkeeper. Win this
and two weeks later another shot at promotion against 7th in Div 1. Fraser Sands stepped up first...saved, Carnegie Score, Will Butler...saved, Carnegie Saved, Swarbs....saved!!! With that came the conclusion of Watsonians indoor season. 4th place overall finish was in truth more than most expected and some real positives to build on for next season. Carnegie went on to get pumped 11-1 by Clydesdale so in truth not a bad game for us to miss out on!

Thanks go to the following for their efforts through the season: Chris
Miller, Will Butler, Sam Trett, Luke Campbell, Swarbs, Fraser Sands, Lyam Hollis, Charlie McCartney, Mark Mundell, Blair Wynd, Jack Kinloch, Craig McCrossan, Ali Vaughan