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Boss Kevin Watson is delighted to have added midfielder Yannis Drais to Herne Bay’s squad.
The 29-year-old, formerly of Dover, Welling and Aldershot, made an instant impact on his debut on Saturday in their Isthmian Premier 3-1 success over fellow strugglers Bowers & Pitsea.
His deflected free-kick in the fifth minute at Winch’s Field sandwiched strikes by forwards Rory Smith and Marcel Barrington in front of a crowd of 404.
It looked to be an own goal but Watson said: “He can have that one!
"Yannis is a player who is mature, he has been around the game a lot. He has really good pedigree.
“He’s got qualities of a higher standard - as some of our players have. But he hasn’t played loads of football this season.
“He’s trained a lot and is extremely fit now, but he’s coming back from an injury so it’s pleasing, on his debut for us, to get a win.”
Basement boys Bay, who this Saturday are at another struggling side in 17th-placed Kingstonian, had a rare free midweek.
It’s something Watson was eager to utilise with six more games left to play before the end of a busy month, which includes Tuesday’s trip to third-placed Bishop’s Stortford.
He commented: “They’ll come thick and fast.
"There’ll be less opportunity to dissect things so it’s important we take this opportunity.”
The success over Bowers was a first league victory under Watson for Bay and their first since mid-October.
But Watson said: “I don’t think too much changes.
"We’ll just take each game as it comes. I know that sounds like a cliche but that’s what we need to do.
“We don’t fear the opposition, although that’s not in a disrespectful way.
"I think Bowers gave us as tough a game as any team we’ve faced and they’re down there, similar to us and trying to get out of the situation they’re in.
“We’ll do our homework on Kingstonian and set our stall out. But for the weekend, we just need to enjoy the win.”
Wideman Che Krabbendam has left the club while on-loan Maidstone attacker Tushaun Tyreece-Walters is set for a spell out.
Watson explained: “TT sustained an injury [in the 3-0 loss at Cray Wanderers] and he’s been at Maidstone to have that diagnosed.
"He’ll be out for a few weeks.
“We have parted ways with Che and I would like to put on note thanks to him for the contribution that he has made.
“But there’s not been a whole host of movement in and around the squad since we have come in. That’s intentional.”
Herne Bay drew 1-1 at home to Kingstonian in August when defender Chris Edwards - who has since left - was on target.
