Vale boss Gregg Carrol had a clean bill of health as his side prepared for their sixth Aberdeenshire Cup final appearance over the past eight seasons.
Their opponents on the night were Aberdeen, who had knocked six past Inverurie Locos and three past Keith in the previous rounds.
The final was staged for the first time at Inverurie Locos', Harlaw Park.
The Premier league outfit who hadn't won the competition for a number of years fielded a relatively young side, although they did include up-for-sale goalkeeper David Preece and ex-Man City striker, Leon Mike.
A large crowd turned up including a noisy support from the Banff & Macduff area hoping to see if their heroes could go one better after the disappointment at Pittodrie in last season's final.
The Vale kicked off but were soon under pressure and Speirs did well to prevent his side going a goal behind after only 60 seconds. The Vale number one saving with his legs from Michie, at the expense of a fruitless corner. Anderson then headed to safety as Vale took time to settle into their usual passing game. McAllister found himself behind the Don's back line but his low cross failed to pick out a red shirt and the danger was cleared.
Speirs held comfortably as O'Donoghue tried his luck from distance on the quarter hour. Aberdeen took the lead after 27 minutes when Dlugonski allowed the ball to bounce over his head leaving the unmarked Michie through on goal. The striker made no mistake burying a low shot past the helpless Speirs from 16 yards. Dolan and McAllister both had efforts, which flew wide of the target as Vale tried to back on level terms.
The Aberdeen defence had to scramble the ball clear following a Vale corner kick before Dlugonski's turn and shot was cleared on it's way goal wards by Dons defender Hedderman. Ian Murray should have ended the half with the ball in the back of the net following nice inter play between Stephen and McKenzie. But the pint size striker fired wide with only Preece to beat.

Matty Kinghorn had to head clear following an Aberdeen corner as the Premier League outfit stepped up the pace at the start of the second half. Speirs then bravely saved at the feet of Michie as he sprang the Vale defence. The Dons increased their lead after 57 minutes following a corner.
O'Donoghue seemed to completely miscue his shot from the edge of the area and the ball nestled it's way into the top corner past the stranded Speirs. McKenzie tested Preece with a grounder which the keeper held comfortably and minutes later Brown did likewise but again the Dons keeper was right behind the ball making the save look relatively easy.
McAllister's corner was completely missed by Brown right in front of goal as Vale stepped up a gear and took the game to Aberdeen.
MacRonald replaced Brown and should have done better when he found himself in space at the far stick following a McAllister cross. But the ex-Huntly midfielder delayed his shot and the chance was gone. Murray then saw his header from close range saved by Preece following a MacRonald cross from the left.
Leon Mike should have killed off the Banffers when he had a free header 6 yards from goal but somehow the striker managed to hit the top of the crossbar and the ball sailed over the top. In the last minute of the match McHattie sealed the Don's victory with a well-hit shot, which flew past Speirs and into the bottom corner of the net.
Levi Stephen picked up the man-of-the-match award to offer some consolation to an upbeat Vale boss who thought his side were worthy of at least a goal and was very proud of the effort shown by all his players on the night.