THE Central Park playing surface took a bit of stick last season from visiting managers and home players and officials.

There were a few problems with the west end of the pitch flooding at times and appearing much wetter than the other end.

It all meant for a rather rough looking surface which proved bobbly in the closing couple of months.

However, work to sort it has started. Essential maintenance work on the pitch at Central Park began onWednesday.

Said director David Allan: "As many will know, the wet winter took its toll on the playing surface and remedial work is required to get the pitch shipshape and suitably ready for the new season.

"The work is being carried out over the next few days by Resolution Maintenance and involves scarifying the surface to remove dead material then verti-draining to improve water dispersal and finally an overlay with sand and seed is required to level the surface and promote new growth.

"With the new sectional League Cup (the Betfred Cup) format kicking off mid-July, the close season window is a short one but this work will ensure the playing surface is in good condition for the new season".