Hearts 56 top Scottish Walking Football League at half-way stage

Hearts 56 leapfrogged Gala Fairydean Rovers on Wednesday to top the Scottish Walking Football League at the half-way stage.

Both teams started the day level on points with the Borders side ahead on goal difference.

The eagerly awaited clash between the leaders took place on pitch three at Ravenscraig Sports Centre and Gala took an early lead before Hearts 56 scored twice in succession. A late equaliser from Gala secured a share of the points.

Hearts 98 then did their colleagues a favour by beating Gala 5-2 as Hearts 56 hammered Greater Glasgow United 8-1.

In the final set of fixtures, Tullibody Community took a 3-0 lead against Hearts 56 but a spirited fightback saw the game end all square whilst Gala lost two late goals to go down 3-2 to hosts North Lanark Leisure.

All ten participants have now played each other once and Hearts 56, named after the Scottish Cup winning team of 1956 lead the way on 25 points with Gala Fairydean Rovers dropping down into second place on 22 points.

The sport has grown rapidly across Scotland by allowing people to reignite their passion for football, despite injury or illness, simply by slowing things down. There are now over 60 walking football sessions every week across the country.

The Walking Football initiative is supported by Paths for All, a Scottish charity who aim to create a happier, healthier Scotland through increasing physical activity opportunities for everyone no matter age or income, with funding from the Scottish Government.

Minister for Sport, Aileen Campbell, said: “It’s really important that everyone stays active, regardless of their age, and that’s why walking football is so fantastic. It’s a great way for people to continue to enjoy the sport into their 50s and beyond.

Ian Findlay, chief officer at Paths for All, said: “Walking football has seen a massive growth over the last few years with over 600 players taking part in games across Scotland on a weekly basis. The benefits of playing walking football include improving physical health, mental well-being and building new friendships.

Scottish Walking Football League results 23 August.

Game 7

Greater Glasgow United 2 v 2 Tulibody Community FC

Hearts 56 2 v 2 Galafairydean Rovers

Hearts 98 6 v 0 Fife Wanderers

NL Leisure 0 v 3 Ayr United

Stenhousemuir 0 v 1 Stirling

Game 8

Tulibody Community FC 0 v 1 Stirling

Ayr United 3 v 2 Stenhousemuir

Fife Wanderers 0 v  4 NL Leisure

Galafairydean Rovers 2 v 5 Hearts 98

Greater Glasgow United 1 v 8 Hearts 56

Game 9

Hearts 56 3 v 3 Tulibody Community FC

Hearts 98 4 v 1 Greater Glasgow United

NL Leisure 3 v 2 Galafairydean Rovers

Stenhousemuir 10 v 0 Fife Wanderers

Stirling 0 v 2 Ayr United