It’s all about team work – East

Portmore United hitman Javon East impressed for his club during the recent Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) semi-final win over Mount Pleasant with man-of-the-match performances in both legs. However, the striker is playing down his impact and is pointing to the overall effort of his teammates towards the win.

In the first leg at the National Stadium two Mondays ago, East scored one and assisted another, as Portmore United came away 2-1 winners. In the return game on Monday, the striker netted the first goal in a 1-1 draw, which saw his team advance to their fourth straight final with a 3-2 aggregate win. They will meet Waterhouse, the team they beat on penalties last season for the title, in the final on April 29, after the Drewsland-based team’s 3-0 aggregate win over Cavalier in their semi-final.

The 23-year-old East, who is now tied with Tivoli Gardens’ Colorado Murray and Waterhouse’s Tremaine Stewart (Waterhouse) on 12 goals, says his and the team’s success this season is all down to the players working for and believing in each other.

“It’s all about the team, the team scores, we win; so we give the team credit. It’s all about teamwork, as one player cannot play the game,” said East, following Monday’s contest.

“It takes teamwork, so you pass and receive and score. It’s simple, but congrats to the team for this qualification to go into the final. Now we have to work on our team shape and maintain our discipline going into the next match, which is the final on April 29,” he said.

Although the Golden Boot is now within reach, the striker insists the focus is on retaining the title, and stated that he will continue to trust in his preparation and his team-mates to deliver them a second successive RSPL crown.

“Everyone has to bring their A game. Unfortunately, all of the team didn’t (in semis), but we have to pulled through the next (final) match. We will have to work on our preparation going into the final, as it’s all about preparation coming into the match. So I will get prepared, and then I will put it out in the match and let my preparation speak,” he said.