Four-goal hero Antoine Russell overshadowed Aquino Grant's hat-trick as he led the East to victory over the West in a 10-9 thriller in the Island Soccer League's (ISL) All-Star match at the National Sports Centre on Saturday night.

Russell, who missed last year's spectacle due to suspension, scored three unanswered goals in the space of three minutes to break what was a close contest throughout.

Vernon Tankard had opened the scoring for the East in the first two minutes only for the West to respond immediately with goals from Kamen Tucker and Dwyia Blyden.

The game went back and forth with Vincent Minors levelling matters for the East before Rohan Simons put the West back ahead 3-2.

Mark Steede drew the East level but shortly after Grant put his name on the scoresheet for the West who constantly grabbed lead only to relinquish it soon after.

Jason Davis equalised for the East who were then rocked back by the goal of the game from Jemeiko Jennings, who curled his boot around the ball and let fly from 15 yards out to leave East goalkeeper, Raymond Glasford, stranded.

Davis then equalised again for his side before the East took their first lead of the match 6-5, courtesy of Quincy Aberdeen.

The time and place was then right for Russell, who up to this point had not even been a blip on the radar.

Russell scored the East's seventh, eight, ninth, and tenth goals as he headed to the top of the MVP pecking order.

Grant pulled two back for the West, who also got a second strike from Tucker and one from Reggie Lowe.

But in the end it was the Russell, the league's leading scorer, who finished head and shoulders above the rest.

"It feels good to win the MVP award," said Russell. "Last year I missed out on the game because of the red card, so it's nice to come out and make a statement.

"It was a good game, all the players had a good attitude and enjoyed themselves. All-Star games are usually meant for fun and for playerse to enjoy their achievements of the year, so it was very enjoyable.

"This was a preview for the play-offs, everyone here is sizing up each other for the chance to win a ring. It is about keeping form while enjoying the moment, so hopefully my team (Storm) can win the ISL this year."

Grant said the match had been a preview of what is to come for the league play-offs that start tonight at the NSC.

"There had to be a loser and a winner," said Grant. "Being that it was my first All-Star match in the ISL I thoroughly enjoyed it even though my hat-trick counts for nothing.

"We all put our best effort into the match . . . it is All-Stars and I hope the crowd were pleased with what they saw and had a good time.

"It was a preview for the play-offs in a sense that whoever lost tonight will be driven by this defeat and will want to make amends in the play-offs.

"For those who won, they have a taste of victory and will be hungry for more. So this has only intensified the atmosphere for the play-offs and will be interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks."

Preceding the All-Star match, the Legends game took place with the West taking bragging rights by a score of 4-1. A hat-trick by Leroy Wilson led the West for whom Eugene Simmons also scored. Ralph Bean netted the lone East goal.

The play-offs start tonight with the Apex playing the Titans and the Kings squaring off against the Royal. The first match kicks off at 7.15 pm