GALA Fairydean Rovers Walking Football team leapfrogged champions Hearts 56 into second place in the national league following three impressive victories last week.

A total of 12 teams from throughout Scotland take part in the tournament which is organised by Walking Football Scotland in partnership with North Lanarkshire Leisure and Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire.

Games are played at the Ravenscraig Sports Centre in Motherwell and the tournament recommenced following a summer break.

Gala started back with a comfortable 2-0 win over Ayr United Beresford then beat current Home Nations champions North Lanarkshire Leisure 7-0 with a tremendous team performance.

The final game ended with another 7-0 victory over Fife Wanderers to round off a superb day.

Special mentions goes to striker John Dodds who scored ten of the teams 16 goals.

Hearts 98 currently top the table with 26 points from nine matches with Gala second on 23 points.

Acting Gala coach Mike Godsman said: “I was really pleased with the teams overall performance today with goalkeeper Mike Bisland incredibly not having a save to make over the three matches played.

"Scoring 18 goals and conceding none was a fantastic achievement and sets us up nicely for the next set of fixtures where we are likely to face even stronger opposition.

"There will definitely be no complacency in the squad but we will go into next months fixtures with confidence”

Gala Walking Football is open to anyone aged over 40.

The club trains between 2.30 and 4pm on Mondays at Langlee Community Centre and during the same times on Thursdays at Netherdale 3G.

Chairman John Hislop added: “ Walking football is about keeping fit, making new friends and having a good time. Although we play in tournaments, most of out members are happy to play once or twice a week just for fun. We are always looking to attract new players and anyone turning up will be made welcome.

"The sessions are not limited to people who live in Galashiels as we have players who travel from Hawick, Selkirk, Stow, Lauder, Melrose and Tweedbank.”