BAMBER Bridge's opening league match at Worksop on Saturday will go ahead after the Football Association gave the UniBond League a stay of execution.

The FA had refused to sanction the league until UniBond officials agreed to admit Barrow to the Premier Division.

But now an agreement has been reached whereby the league will be allowed to kick-off this weekend - providing the Cumbrians are accepted into the Premier at an emergency meeting a week on Monday.

Barrow were dumped from the Nationwide Conference last season after going into liquidation. The club lost their appeal to remain in the division on Monday, and must now be accepted into the UniBond League.

The fiasco has already caused a major headache for league bosses, who are faced with the prospect of redrawing the Premier Division fixture to include Barrow.

Bamber Bridge received confirmation on Tuesday night that their fixture would go ahead. Secretary Russ Rigby said: "The league's been granted permission to carry on until August 22, when the club chairmen will vote on whether to accept Barrow.

"If they vote against letting them in, it's going to be serious - and it could cost the league a lot of money.

"I've spoken to one or two people who are not happy with the way this has been railroaded through by the Conference and the FA."

On the field, manager Tony Greenwood has only one injury worry as his side prepares to take on Worksop. Dave Carroll will be out for about a month after breaking a bone in his ribs.

Greenwood expects a lively encounter. Worksop will be out for revenge after Bamber Bridge ended their Premier Division title challenge in a pulsating match at Irongate late last season.

The Brig boss is hoping to build on last season's impressive showing.

He said: "For the supporters, anything above fourth would be a successful season. We're looking to build on that. Hopefully we can have a good run in one of the cups too - like Lancaster and Leigh RMI did in the FA Cup."

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