With Stow also in the South Cup semi-finals, still in the Waddell Cup and sitting third in Division A of the Border Amateur League, midfielder Paul Young believes the Villagers have a chance of creating history.

Young said: “Of the four, I would say the South Cup is the big one for us, as Stow have never won it. But while we are in the four competitions, we will try to win them all.

“Every game from now until the end of the season is important. We believe we still have a chance in the league, although we need Gala Fairydean Rovers and Leithen Rovers to drop points.” The only negatives from Saturday’s win at Bridgend was the serious leg injury to Martin Gibson, which led referee Jonathan Gall calling a halt to the cup tie with a few minutes remaining, as well as a red card for Johnny Crawford.

Ancrum’s only Division A point this season came against Stow and Craig Tibbits’ young side matched Stow in the early stages, with the visitors only chance in the first half hour being a Crawford header over the bar.

Instead, it was Ancrum who had a great chance to open the scoring as Stuart Spence was brought down by goalkeeper Tom Kerr just outside Stow’s penalty box. Kerr avoided a red card thanks to Kevin Rutherford retreating behind him and the resultant free kick was fired over.

Stow then created a series of chances, but were denied by inspired goalkeeper Stuart Tuddenham, with the pick of his saves being a one handed stop low to his left to deny a Young volley.

Tuddenham’s team-mates made the most of his saves by claiming the opener five minutes before the break. Stow failed to clear Gregor Taylor’s long throw and Spence fired the ball into the left hand corner.

The homesters lead lasted only nine minutes into the second half as James Runciman battled past a series of challenges to find the net, and Stow went 2-1 up on the hour as a mix up between Tuddenham and defender Keith Chapman allowed Young to nip in and sidefoot home.

Stow looked set for a nervy final 28 minutes after Crawford picked up a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, but they never looked like conceding a second and instead capped the victory with a fine third goal on 68 minutes. The Steele brothers combined, with Jordan playing in younger sibling Hagen who showed great composure to run in from 40 yards out and slide the ball past Tuddenham.

Stow now play Greenlaw in the next round, hoping to win the Beveridge Cup for the first time in 18 years.

Ancrum: S. Tuddenham, J. Amos, G. Taylor, M. Fiddes (G. Learmonth 65), K. Chapman, G. McGovern, S. Spence, T. Adamson, C. Dickson, A. Hain (S. Kelleher 85), B. Irvine (E. Armsrong 60).

Stow: T. Kerr, B. Runciman, E. Riddell, J. Runciman, P. Young, J. Steele (C. Riddell 89), H. Steele, J. Crawford, K. Rutherford (C. Wood 47), P. Marszalek, G. Cleghorn (M. Gibson 78).