By TERRY MADDAFORD
Football is a team game, but the performances of two individuals promise to hold the key to the outcome of this afternoon's National League grand final at North Harbour Stadium.
Miramar Rangers' midfielder Tim Butterfield and Central United striker Campbell Banks have the undoubted skills and the all-important x-factor to swing what promises to be a hard-fought final between the two best teams in the country.
Butterfield, 26, has been the inspirational key to Miramar's great Southern Trust National League season.
A finalist in the three of the season-end awards, although he did not learn of that until he returned from holiday in England and the United States, Butterfield will play an influential central role in today's game.
Banks has a different brief from Central coach Paul Marshall. A "free spirit" who has the ability to turn any game with goals other players only dream about, 22-year-old Banks will be vital to Central's chances.
Unlike Butterfield, who must crank himself up for today's final after missing the latter part of the season, Banks has been busy in Central's run-in to the league and cup finals.
"I'm looking forward to playing against my old club," said Banks, who had two seasons in Wellington after playing his early soccer in Nelson.
"I've scored a few goals against them, but not when it counted in the semifinal."
Banks, who went to South Africa with the New Zealand under-23 team for an Olympic playoff, is looking forward to his first final.
"I enjoy playing with guys such as Miro Major, Daniel Aliaga and Daniel Koprivcic. We played a lot together in the reserves last year."
It is the younger brigade who must front up for Central if they are to have any chance of a third National League title. They will be without inspirational captain and defensive cornerstone Michael Ridenton, who was needlessly sent off in last week's Bluebird Chatham Cup semifinal.
Banks, who hankers for the chance to prove his ability at a higher level, has struggled at times to get through 90 minutes.
"I have been suffering from cramp in my calves," Banks said. "I've been having acupuncture and some physio, and it seems to be coming right."
Banks pays tribute to Marshall, who he says encourages his players to express themselves.
For Banks that means "get out and do something out of the ordinary."
That is something he has managed regularly this season and played a part in netting the 14 goals which have kept him in sight of leading scorers Thomas Edge, of Waitakere City, and Miramar's Graham Little, who goes into today's game with a realistic chance of breaking clear in the Golden Boot race.
Butterfield, a regular at Miramar since his debut season in 1994, after an off-season switch from Sheffield United, said he has probably enjoyed his best season in five years.
"Partly, I suppose, because I'm fitter and also through having a better team around me," said the young Yorkshireman, who has divided his training and playing time with watching his beloved England team in World Cup action.
He admitted that if the opportunity came to play for New Zealand he would look at it - "for sure. I'm never going to play for England, so why not?"
Miramar go into the game as hot favourites. But the feeling is that that one piece of Banks magic could spoil the party for coach Stu Jacobs and his mates.
The match, to be controlled by top referee Bruce Grimshaw, kicks off at 2.45 pm.
Soccer: Butterfield, Banks have x-factor that could decide final
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.