KITKAT Crescent was the scene for many a pitch battle last season and York City are embarking on another one this summer even though the football is over.

Experts are currently working on the troublesome playing surface and have already got to the root of its problems.

Grass will be greener

INVESTIGATIONS on the troublesome area of York City's pitch have revealed no drainage problems.

Several games were placed in jeopardy during the second half of this season when a corner of the ground struggled to absorb surface water.

Sand was often poured on to the problematic patch to cure the problem but that still led to almost impossible playing conditions.

The area has now been excavated and a layer of compacted clay-like soil, believed responsible for the troubles, removed from about three inches below the surface of the pitch. The drainage channels have also been refilled with a layer of hardcore, gravel, soil and root zone and the area will be turfed next week.

Club secretary Nick Bassett said: "As less turf will be needed than first thought, there is sufficient to re-turf worn areas in the other three corners of the pitch. The drainage is also being checked there.

"Once the re-turfing is complete, the pitch will be over-seeded, sanded and verti-drained. It is antici-pated the work will be complete by next weekend."

Updated: 10:03 Saturday, May 13, 2006