Former Stourbridge shop worker wins Olympic bronze (From Dudley News)

Former Stourbridge shop worker wins Olympic bronze

5:05pm Friday 10th August 2012 in Sport

A FORMER Stourbridge shop worker has won Olympic bronze as part of the British women’s hockey team.

Sally Walton, who used to work at Peachy Keen smoothie bar in Market Street, was part of the team which beat New Zealand 3-1 in this afternoon’s bronze medal match.

Second half goals from Alex Danson, Crista Cullen and Sarah Thomas, all from penalty corners, gave the hosts a deserved win.

Stacey Mickelson scored late on for New Zealand but it was too little, too late.

Walton, who has earned over 100 caps for Great Britain and England since making her international debut in 2005, trained with bodybuilding coach Jim Charles at Jim’s Gym in Lye before heading off to train with the Team GB squad in preparation for the games.

And she played her part as the team picked themselves up from Wednesday’s heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Argentina.

They were always on top against New Zealand but had to stay patient as the first half ended goal-less.

After Danson gave them the lead ten minutes into the second half, they continued to dominate before Cullen and then Thomas made the game safe and sealed Britain’s first Olympic hockey medal since 1992.