KINGSTON, Jamaica — Much like he was in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) last season after his transfer from Portmore United to Arnett Gardens midway the campaign, Eric Edwards came up with a man-of-the-match performance to help his team win the inaugural Boom El Clasico on Heroes’ Day, against Waterhouse FC.

The experienced goalkeeper had not been called upon too much during regulation time, executing just a few saves as they played out a 1-1 draw with their rivals, but it was during the shootout that Edwards showed his class in helping to secure a win in front of a full house at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.

Edwards was able to make two saves from Waterhouse players, diving to his right to save the shot from Damion Binns and then to his left to save from Devroy Grey, to give his team a 2-1 lead in the shootout.

He then bravely stepped up and took the third penalty for Arnett, firing low to the right of his Reggae Boyz teammate Kemar Foster to make it 2-1 to his team and help them put one hand on the one million dollar cheque that went to the winners.

Arnett eventually ran out 3-2 winners and Edwards praised his coach Paul “Tegat” Davis for putting his faith in a young set of players to take part in the exhibition match.

“I must say kudos to the coach, he believed in us. We came out here and worked hard, so it’s nothing surprising that we won. We were ready for it, and we came out here and took it,” he said.

Edwards revealed that the two key penalty saves that he made were not by accident. “I did my homework and I learned from some of the greatest that did it before me,” he said, referring to teammate and Reggae Boyz captain Andre Blake, and his long time hero and former Real Madrid great, Iker Casillas.

The Reggae Boy believes that his team is close to being ready for the start of the season which begins on Sunday.

“I think we are in shape. We have a few loopholes that we have to tighten up and just get ready for the start of the season,” he contended.

Edwards is now a veteran of the league and was happy to play a leadership role on his arrival at the club.

“I wasn’t new to the league and coming here to Arnett, they welcomed me, so I took the opportunity with two hands and brought what I know, especially to the younger ones to uplift them and encourage them to be on par.

“It’s the top league in the country and they are young and so I lift them up and encourage them and show them a few things that I know to help them going forward.”

Coach Davis was not surprised by the heroics of his keeper during the shootout.

“He for one was prepared. He said he was going to stop one, but he stopped two.”