VASE holders Winchester City will keep faith with defender Toby Redwood as they continue their defence of the trophy at Thamesmead Town tomorrow - even though he could sit out virtually the rest of the season suspended.

The 31-year-old launches into an 82-day ban on Monday after getting red-carded for violent conduct amid a firework finale to the Wessex League game at Wimborne Town last month.

To compound Redwood's problems, he got involved in a scuffle with Romsey Town's Greg King in the Hampshire Senior Cup last Saturday which resulted in both players being sent off.

Having successfully had Redwood's first ban reduced from 114 to 82 days, Winchester will now appeal against Saturday's red card, which could potentially add another 35 days to his sentence, sidelining him until April.

Manager Neil Hards said: "Toby got a kick in the face in a melee with the Romsey player and ended up with a nasty cut across his eye. The other lad was hanging off his hair, but the linesman said Toby threw a punch, which nobody else in the ground saw. We will definitely appeal."

With City's veteran midfielder Gary Green having just returned from a four-month ban for two sendings-offs last season, it again highlights how heavily Wessex clubs are punished in comparison with those higher up the pyramid.

Because the Wessex League still comes under county jurisdiction, players get banned in days as opposed to matches.

Hards said: "The system's archaic and it's about time we came into line with the FA. A similar offence at a higher level gets a three-match ban and yet Greener must have missed about 30 matches, including 20 in the league, which is ludicrous.

"The sooner we come into line with the rest of the pyramid, the better."

Although Hards feels that Redwood - a member of City's Vase-winning side at Birmingham in May - should keep a lid on his temper, he is not even contemplating throwing him out of the club.

He said: "He let himself down a bit against Wimborne, but I think I'd lose my rag if I had someone doing Riverdance on my chest like Michael Flatley! As far as I'm concerned Toby stays purely and simply because he's a bloody good footballer.

"Toby's the same as Greener, it's the nature of the beast. They play with a bit of passion and, much as I can't afford to have players out for that length of time, there's nothing I can say to change them. It's up to the player to instill discipline from within.

"To be fair, Toby's been one of the better ones. I don't think he was suspended all last season, but he's let himself boil over a couple of times recently."

The return of experienced defender Mark Blake from knee trouble is a plus for City tomorrow, but there are doubts over goalkeeper Simon Arthur (back) and strikers Ian Mancey (hamstring) and Jamie Musselwhite (calf). Mark Jones is still out with a deeply bruised shin bone.

Hards has had no chance to watch Thamesmead, who sit in the lower reaches of the Kent Premier, but said: "I've had four or five reports done and Mossy (coach Steve Moss) has contacts in the London area.

"The preparation's not been as productive as I would have liked, but it's all about how we play. If we perform to our capabilities, it'll take a good side to beat us."