Kwame Steede, the Devonshire Cougars player-coach, hailed his team’s hard-fought victory over ten men North Village at Devonshire Recreation Club last night.

The coach’s decision not to substitue a subdued Machi Battersbee during the final stages of the game ultimately proved crucial, as the Cougars midfielder headed home his team’s winner from a goalmouth scramble, deep into stoppage time.

The goal earned Cougars their first league victory of the season, and lifted them off the bottom of the Premier Division standings, something that will have certainly raised morale among the ranks.

Village played the final 33 minutes a player short after Tareeko Wilson, the centre back, was sent off after picking up two yellow cards inside of a minute.

“This is a big result and much needed,” Steede said. “It justifies how we have been playing all season. It’s a good result and we fought hard for it.”

Cougars defended superbly and took their chance at the death when it mattered most.

“If you look at it, the best games are won 1-0. It shows you are resilient, and that your defensive game is on a good level, so that 1-0 victory is a great victory.”

After picking up their first point in a goalless draw with Robin Hood in their previous outing, Cougars were fired up for last night’s contest with Village.

“During the pre-game talk we discussed fight,” Steede said. “We fought hard last game for our point and we said we would fight this game for at least a point.

“We got three this time so we fought even more this game and it showed.

“We got another shutout and three points this time and now we must build on this victory going forward. We have to.”

As for Battersbee’s late winner, Steede said: “Machi deserved it. He wasn’t in the game all of the game but he showed up at the right time.

“It was a decision to substitute him or Lovintz [Tota]. I wouldn’t say it was a good decision, but it was justified.”