A 3G artificial pitch was used for the first time in the first round of the FA Cup during Maidstone’s home tie against Stevenage.

Synthetic surface maintenance specialists Replay Maintenance carries out its ‘Revive Plus+’ process on the Gallagher Stadium pitch four times per year to ensure it is always in top condition, and the company was on hand to support Maidstone in the run up to the game, a replay.

The pitch is certified to the FIFA 2 star standard – the highest rating, and is awarded to artificial pitches that are deemed suitable for professional football.

The Replay Revive process is designed to extend the life of a synthetic sports pitch and minimise the risk of injury to players by improving surface grip and reducing compaction. It uses a specially developed, single operator machine to remove contaminants from a rubber infill surface.