THERE were mixed fortunes for Gala Fairydean Rovers’ walking footballers in the Scottish League at Ravenscraig Sports Centre on Wednesday.

Two victories and one defeat ensured that Gala finished the spring session in eighth place in the table with 11 points from nine games.

The session started with a minute’s applause for walking football legend Peter Collins who sadly passed away earlier in the month.

Peter was an inspirational figure who won the Scottish Cup with Midlothian in 2017 aged 85, keeping a clean sheet in the final against Gretna and played an incredible five times each week.

Gala’s first game against high flying Alloa Athletic ended with a comprehensive 4-0 defeat.

North Lanarkshire Leisure then took an early lead in the second fixture before Jim McLaren equalised with a powerful 25-yard strike which left the NLL keeper helpless. A double from John Dodds and goals from Chris Westcott and Howard Edge eventually secured a hard fought 5-4 victory and three valuable points.

John Hislop opened the scoring in the final match against Tullibody then Chris Westcott doubled Gala’s lead before the Central Scotland side pulled one back.

A late strike from John Dodds released the pressure and Gala held on to win the game 3-1.

The league now shuts down for the summer and resumes in August.

Coach John Dickson said: “After a slow start, we found the form we are capable of and deservedly won the other two games.

"Our goalkeeper Mike Bisland returned to action after missing the first two sessions and performed heroics to help us take six points from the final games before the summer break. Hopefully we can retain that form in the Kelso tournament next Sunday.”

Chairman John Hislop said: “Many of the team we play have much larger squads to choose from and once again we were missing a number of key players due to work commitments, holidays and injury, Our numbers continue to increase but we are always looking for more players.

“The fitness and social benefits of playing walking football are well documented but our main objective is for everyone to enjoy themselves and have fun.

“We play every Monday and Thursday at Netherdale between 2.30pm and 4pm and newcomers will be made welcome.”