Canada geese in their usual habitat - the football club used scarecrows to keep them away

The geese hacked away at one of the penalty areas at Porthmadog FC's ground in search of food, leaving the pitch unplayable on Saturday.

A referee postponed the reserve match with Llangefni, while scarecrows were used as the pitch was repaired.

Management hope the birds stay away ahead of Saturday's first team match with Welsh Premier rivals TNS.

Club general secretary Gerallt Owen said: "It appears there was some food underneath and they were picking away at it - more like hacking in fact - on the Thursday.

"When the groundsman arrived just before lunch on Friday, he found the damage centred on one of the penalty boxes and there.was no way we could have played."

Mr Owen said the club brought in makeshift scarecrows, made of wind-chimes and plastic bags, while the divots were replaced and the pitch rolled.

Mesh has been placed over parts of the pitch.

"We've had to cancel the odd match because of a frozen pitch or it being too wet, but I've never heard of anything like this before," said Mr Owen.