Date: - 27/10/01 Qualifying Cup Final, Kynoch Park Keith

The Vale players went into this Cup Final with so much resting on such relatively young shoulders, the chance to win a major trophy for their club for the first time in 50 years.
A large crowd gathered inside Kynoch Park to see which of the Moray Coast sides would take the honours home to their respective towns.
Gregg Carrol decided to change his line-up for the final, opting for the experience of Jamie Watt in place of the unfortunate Barry Stephen. Franny More took up his more familiar wide right role with Watt partnering the in-form Ian Murray upfront.
Buckie had former Vale player Scott Anderson in their line-up with other ex-Vale favourites Steven Rattray and Charlie Rowley on the bench.
A strong wind blew down Kynoch Park as Vale kicked off with the elements in their favour. Buckie were quick out of the traps and Davidson found himself through on goal within the first five minutes, however a lunging challenge by Chisholm thwarted the striker as he steadied himself to shoot with the Jag supporters screaming for a penalty. Thompson then pulled off a good stop from Stephen as the Vale defence were caught napping.
Pressley replied for the Vale, testing Rae with a glancing header off a Montgomery free kick, which the keeper held comfortably. Kinghorn's in swinging corner almost caught out the Buckie goalie before Urquhart's cross almost found the onrushing More.
The game came alive moments later when the referee showed Scott Anderson a straight red card after he had pulled Jamie Watt down as the striker advanced in on goal. From the resulting free kick Ian MURRAY stepped up to beat Rae with an inch perfect shot into the postage stamp of the keepers' goal. Barry Thompson was called into action again as his namesake tested him with a 20 yard drive but the keeper did well to smother the ball as Davidson looked for the rebound. MURRAY doubled Vales' lead when a pass back by Holmes was way to short allowing the free-scoring striker to find the net from an acute angle.
Urquhart almost found Watt with a threaded pass and then Watts' header was just the wrong side of the upright as Vale looked to kill off the tie. Brown replaced Chisholm, injured when tackling Davidson in the first 5 minutes, and within minutes the substitute was on hand to put the Vale three up. Urquhart made good progress down the left before finding the unmarked BROWN in the box who headed home from 10 yards.
McPherson had a pop at goal from long range but the ball flew over the top and then Thompson got down well to gather a Davidson drive as the ten men fought bravely on. Rae saved well from Watt and as the ball dropped Murray couldn't control his shot. A great run down the left by Dolan almost found Murray before the same player tested Rae with a long-range drive. Buckie won a free kick in a dangerous area but Holmes fired just over the top from 20 yards.
Montgomery picked out More down the right but his low cross was cleared before Urquharts' long ranger was well off target. Just as half-time approached Dolans' long clearance found Jamie WATT through on goal and the in-form striker blasted the ball low past the helpless Rae. Just to rub salt into the depleted Buckie rearguard WATT scored again to give Vale a nap hand in injury time. Mores' cross was met by the striker who made a neat job of clipping the ball past Rae from 12 yards.

More should have done better after being released through on goal by Dolan but he shot wide of the far stick with only the keeper to beat. Thomson almost pulled a goal back for Buckie but the linesman's flag was up for offside.
Montgomery then went on a rare expedition up the park which ended with Vale being awarded an indirect free kick in the penalty are but Murray hit the defensive wall with his effort. Thompson saved Stephens' low drive at the second attempt before Buckie were rewarded for their valiant efforts. Thompson's sublime volley flew past the helpless Vale keeper from all of 25 yards and into the net.
Smith replaced More as Vale played out what left of the match without having to put in too much effort. Urquhart was through one on one with Rae as the Buckie defence were caught out by a slide rule pass from Pressley but the big keeper stood up well and managed to deflect the ball for a corner. Green's attempted lob was never troubling Thompson in the Vale goal as the game dwindled out with the players looking forward to collecting their reward.
Club captain Nigel Montgomery picked up the Qualifying Cup and showed it to the fans as everyone at the Vale celebrated a rare moment of history.