ACCRINGTON Stanley’s new pitch is looking in pristine condition ahead of the start of the Football League season.

Stanley are away at Northampton in their League Two opener on Saturday but they host Scunthorpe in the first round of the Carling Cup on Tuesday and are optimistic that they will be aided by a much-improved playing surface this season.

Chairman Ilyas Khan paid around £70,000 a year ago to install a new pitch but, although some drainage issues remained last season with postponements during the winter months, the Reds have spent another £30,000 as part of the second phase of the work.

In conjunction with Stanley’s groundstaff, particularly groundsman Martyn Cook, contractors Danvic have been working on the pitch this summer and the Reds are pleased with the results, which they believe will be conducive to passing football at the Crown Ground this season.

“We had a downpour on Tuesday and there wasn’t a single puddle so that gives us confidence,” said a club spokesman.

“Every metre along the length of the pitch a slit of sand has been put in that feeds into the main drains.

“We weren’t able to play any pre-season friendlies on it and it has been a bit tight but that was because the play-offs delayed the work, which was a nice problem to have.”