South African international goalkeeper Dave Staniforth fears he could miss a large chunk of Fareham's South Premier League new year promotion campaign after being controversially sent off in the last minute of a 4-2 win over Henley.

Staniforth was red carded - for "violence offered" in hockey speak - moments after a goal area skirmish which led to Henley's Ali Slay also being given his marching orders.

Slay appeared to waft his stick angrily at Fareham defender Steve Lemon just before Henley were awarded a penalty corner.

Staniforth, who made the last of his 65 appearances for South Africa in the 2004 Athens Olympics, is protesting his innocence.

"Fortunately, all our games are videoed and the footage clearly shows what did and didn't happen," he said.

"This is the lowest point of my career, but I'm not going to say anything more at this stage that could prejudice my appeal against the red card."

Table-topping Fareham will use video footage of the sending off incident in their forthcoming appeal to the Hampshire Hockey Association.

For full story and Mike Vimpany's hockey round-up see today's Daily Echo.