Last updated 11:25, Monday, 03 November 2008

WHEN a football match finishes 11-0 you might think the main talking point will be the scoreline.

Bend it like beakham: A swan invades the pitch

But an under-14s game in Carlisle between Stanwix and Harraby Athletic was interrupted by a rather frightening pitch invader.

The match at Hammonds Pond in Upperby had to be held up when a resident swan wandered onto the field of play.

The bird landed near Stanwix’s goalkeeper and settled quite happily on the pitch, as recorded by News & Star photographer Stuart Walker.

No one seemed in any great hurry to tackle the bird, perhaps bearing in mind swans’ reputation for aggression when protecting their young.

Eventually a brave parent confronted the intruder and shepherded it off.

And the referee who oversaw this drama? Mr Bob Swan.