FORMER Southampton and England favourite Matt Le Tissier hits town next week to regale Altrincham fans with tales of his exploits for club and country and as one of Sky Sports’ most prominent pundits.

Renowned as an after-dinner raconteur, Le Tissier is the star attraction at a sportsman’s dinner at the Cresta Court Hotel next Thursday evening, with a few tickets at £40 each still available from the club on 0161 928 1045.

One of the game’s great crowd pleasers, Le Tissier would have approved of the goal that gave James Walshaw his hat-trick against Colwyn Bay on Saturday, as the Alty striker sprinted clear and brilliantly dinked the ball over the keeper as he dived at his feet.

It came seconds after an outstanding stop by evergreen keeper Stuart Coburn, who also saved a penalty, and as he reflected on a hard-fought 3-1 win, manager Lee Sinnott said: “That was a crucial moment, because it could so easily have been 2-1. Instead, courtesy of Stuart’s excellent save and a great finish from James, we’re 3-0 up in a matter of seconds.

“Colwyn Bay probably have a case for arguing they deserved something, but when you get quality keeping at one end and quality finishing at the other, you’ve got every chance of ending up with the points.

“It was demanding for the players on a heavy pitch after a spell of inactivity, but we stuck to our task well and I was delighted with the outcome. James deserved his man-of-the-match award, but there were a few contenders, when you consider Stuart’s performance, count up the defensive headers Scott Leather made and factor in the product from the flanks.

“You could tell we hadn’t played for two-and-a-half weeks. We were a bit leggy at times, and some of the decision making could have been better. But after missing games while others played, it was absolutely paramount we took all three points.

‘I thought we were bright at the start and always looked dangerous when we got in behind them. That’s where the goals came from, and you have to give James credit for the way he finishes. It’s a combination of pace and placement, and it makes it so difficult for the keeper.”

After Tuesday night’s game at Oxford City was postponed, Alty are at home again on Saturday, against Workington (3pm).