TOLL GATE, Clarendon — Donovan Edwards was the hero as Harbour View beat Sporting Central Academy at Brancourt yesterday to at least maintain their five-point lead atop the Red Stripe Premier League.

Edwards grabbed goals in the first half as the ‘Stars of the East’ ran out easy 2-0 winners in south west Clarendon.

He opened the scoring in the 14th minute when home ‘keeper Sanchez Lloyd misjudged his tame grounder when trying to usher the ball out for a goal-kick.

Edwards completed his brace on 39 minutes after rounding Lloyd and slotting into an empty net.

Sporting did carve out a few goalscoring opportunities, but failed to put them away.

The win carried Harbour View up to 42 points in the 12-team league, which should be good enough to maintain their five-point lead on closest challengers Portmore United and Montego Bay United, both of whom were scheduled for late games last evening.

“We have Portmore and United (Montego Bay) right on our tail, so we came down here to win the game to at least keep that five-point gap going into the third round,” coach Vin Blaine said.

“We created enough chances to have pushed the score a bit, but we are pleased with the result; the players gave a creditable performance away from home.”

Meanwhile, the result also means Lenny Hyde is yet to earn a point at Sporting since he was appointed head coach two games ago. They remain in ninth on 25 points, six clear of the relegation zone.