Fierce local rivals Huntly shot a poisoned arrow through the heart of a completely disorganised Vale defence and in doing so ended any slim chances they may still have had of winning the championship race this season. Two up at the break the Strathbogie side ran riot in the second period with a further four goals to complete a memorable double over their Aberdeenshire neighbours, scoring ten goals in the process.
To make matters worse for the Banff side Robbie Brown and Ian Murray were both sent for early baths by referee Clark in what was a competitive but never a dirty ninety minutes of end-to-end attacking football. With Levi Stephen making his debut for the visitors and ex-Vale assistant manager Billy Anderson in the Huntly dugout it was always going to be a game full of passion and commitment from both sides but in the end it was yet again another disappointing afternoon for the 'valley faithful' who again saw their side fail to defend competently whilst under any kind of attack.
Gregg Carrol surprised everyone prior to kick-off when his side was announced over the tannoy, no Mike McKenzie or a starting place for recent signing Gordon Farmer but in came Ian Campbell to make his long awaited debut on the left side of midfield. Barrie Stephen returned to Vale's forward line to partner Ian Murray while Darren McAllister returned to the midfield after his recent injury problems.
Huntly gave another recent signing, Dave McGinley who they signed from Cove Rangers, a place in the heart of their defence alongside former Vale defender Alan Stephen.

A surprisingly low crowd turned out to see the teams lock horns and it was the visiting fans that were smiling after only 44 seconds when their side took the lead.
A freekick was swung into the Vale penalty box was consequently dropped by Ross Bremner under pressure from Craig and as the loose ball broke to the edge of the area Russell Guild was on hand to steer it home into the unguarded net.
O'Driscoll just failed to double the Strathbogie side's lead five minutes later when his outstretched foot was inches from knocking home a Craig centre.
Vale replied and Barrie Stephen chested down a Campbell centre before being closed down by McGinley, who blocked the striker's attempt in the nick of time.
Steve Dolan was forced to hack clear at the back stick following another raid down the Vale right before the experienced midfielder was cautioned for speaking out of turn to the far-side assistant. A quick free kick from Stephen ended up in the back of the net but the man in black pulled play back because the ball was still moving although why the visitors were awarded it remains a mystery to everyone inside Princess Royal Park.
Ian Murray came oh so close to equalising for the Banffers when he sneaked in behind the Huntly rearguard but on loan keeper Richard Bowman saved at the striker's feet deflecting the ball over the top for a fruitless corner. The visiting keeper did well again minutes later this time from Barrie Stephen after the speedy hit-man forced his way into the 18-yard box before firing low towards Bowman's right-hand post.
Bowman then dropped a bread and butter McAllister cross but Murray failed to capitalise on the error and the Huntly defence cleared.
Just as Vale looked the likelier side to score the visitors went up the other end and carved out a superb second. Jerry O'Driscoll finishing off a super move with a fine curling effort, which left Bremner with no chance from 18-yards.
Vale forced a couple of corners in quick succession but you could tell it simply wasn't going to be their day when Murray's close range flick came back off the upright with Bowman firmly rooted to the spot. Bowman was by far the busier keeper and he again dropped a high ball inside his 6-yard box but there were no Vale strikers on hand to punish the butter fingered number one. On the stroke of half time Bremner saved well with his legs following another flowing move from the visitors and with Huntly forcing a couple of corners the home defence had to stand firm to avoid falling even further behind before they could trot off for a much needed stern talking to from boss Gregg Caroll.

With the rain starting to fall heavier the players trundled back out for the second forty-five with the visitors kicking off expecting nothing more than a bombardment to their goal from the failing league champions. Ian Campbell tried his luck from distance before Bowman pulled off an outstanding save to deny Ian Murray from close range, the keeper getting a strong fist to the striker's effort and in the process managing to knock the ball to safety.
Vale deservedly got a goal back six minutes into the restart when great play by Murray inside the penalty box was finished off by the head of Robbie BROWN who powered home from 4 or 5-yards. Bremner saved at the feet of O'Driscoll as Huntly replied showing that they weren't going to let the home side back into the game that easily.
And on their next attack the Strathbogie side killed off any hopes of a fight back with a simple counter but it has to be said the Vale defence were at sixes and sevens yet again. A ball in behind allowed Craig the time to pick out Russell Guild at the edge of the penalty area and he finished with aplomb, again leaving former teammate Ross Bremner with no chance.
Gregg Carrol made a quick change, which saw Jamie Watt replace Ian Campbell, who had had a steady enough debut on the left side, with Barrie Stephen switching to the right flank and Darren McAllister the left. McAllister had a decent chance to pinch a goal back after being played in by Watt's pass but fired straight down the throat of Richard Bowman much to the disappointment of the distraught home support. Huntly scored their fourth of the afternoon when Craig headed bravely home from inside the six-yard box following a patient build up from the visitors.
To make matters worse for the Banffers skipper Robbie Brown was ordered off by referee Clark for an off-the-ball incident, which presumably occurred once the visitors had put the ball in the net. Bremner got down well to block another opportunity for the visitors as they started to dominate proceedings using the extra man to their advantage.
A one-two between substitutes Mike McKenzie (who had just replaced the hard-working Darren McAllister) and Jamie Watt saw the latter beat the unprotected Bowman only to see his stabbed effort come back off the foot of the post before being cleared by Scott.
Martin Stewart came off the bench for his first run out of the season and within two minutes recorded his 300th highland league goal with a trademark finish, beating Bremner after being sent through on goal by a ball over the top of Vale's flat back three.
Vale responded immediately when they scored their second consolation of the afternoon, Terry KIDD finding the net for the first time for the Banffers from close range following some great trickery on the left from Steve Dolan.
Things went from bad to worse for Vale when Ian Murray was shown a second yellow of the afternoon and consequently sent from the field of play after expressing his anger at the far-side assistant after he was clearly upended inside the penalty box of which nothing was given.
The nine men continued to press forward looking for some pride but could do nothing to stop the visitors scoring their sixth of the afternoon when substitute Stainer hooked home from 16-yards with again the home defence all at sea in what turned out to be one of Vale's heaviest defeats under boss Gregg Carrol's reign.

Vale boss Gregg Carrol was understandably very disappointed with the outcome of the ninety minutes but on the positive said perhaps it's just what we needed!
"We're a better side than that but if we don't defend as a unit we'll pay the price and so it turned out. I have very little to say about the game and take nothing from it other than it shows that what we have simply isn't good enough and it's now time to start building for next season". Carrol finished off by saying "We started very poorly, lost the early goal and were left chasing the game after that, something which we have found very difficult to deal with this campaign".

Vale:
Bremner, #Dolan, Kidd, Chisholm, Dlugonski, Pressley, McAllister (McKenzie 73), ##Brown, #B. Stephen, ##Murray, I. Campbell (Watt 56)
Subs not used: - Sharp, Farmer, Phimister (GK)


Huntly
Bowman, Reidford, Scott, A. Stephen, McGinley, Gray, McGowan (Mathieson 76), Guild, O'Driscoll (Stewart 76), #Craig, L. Stephen (Stainer 80)
Subs not used: - Green, De Barros


Referee: K. Grant