How to cover Goalpost ground area?

[suicra05]

I am setting up a goalpost in the back garden for my son to play football. The area where it is located has some paving slabs and clay on the ground at present. I want to set up the goal area so it is safe for him to save the ball and make dives. I was thinking of clearing the clay and using bark but from reading previous posts this attract cats and their excrement. What else could you use to cover the area around the goal? The garden is a small suburban garden so I do not have a large area to cover.

 

[Mel]

You can get tiles of the rubber matting that's used in playgrounds - I think I've seen them in B&Q. This sort of thing: http://www.backyardadventures.ie/safetysurfacing.html

Or you could lift the patio slabs and spread some grass seed; that's what he'll have to get used to if playing on a pitch...

 

[tosullivan]

astroturf?

 

[silvermints]

astroturf?

Not sure you'd want a child diving around on that stuff. To sow an area of grass would be the ideal solution but if this isn't an option the playground tiles mentioned aready would probably be next best.

 

[VOR]

Why not buy a few indoor gymnastic mats? You can lay them across the area and then bring them in when not in use.
That's what we used used for indoor football when in national school. (Also meant that you learned to kick the ball with power to get it over the lip of the mat)