Vale accepted the last minute call from Firhill for this friendly fixture against Partick Thistle. Thistle hadn't received clearance from the English FA to play the originally arranged match against Barnsley.
The match was a re-run of a Scottish Cup tie when clubs had met in 2001, with Dolan, Chisholm, Brown, McAllister and Urquhart all experiencing Firhill for the second time. The fixture represented a unique chance for a Highland League Club to play a pre-seaon friendly at a Premier Club Ground.
The match completed Vale's pre-season fixtures which has included games against sides from each of the four Scottish Senior Leagues.
Gregg Carroll made changes from the side which had faced Morton 9 days earlier. In came Mike McKenzie, Scott Anderson and Robbie Brown, for his first match since returning from honeymoon, whilst Paul Urquhart was listed as a sub for his first pre season outing

Partick kicked of in the Maryhill sunshine, after Vale, in their away blue colours, had won the toss. It was Vale who were out of the blocks faster, with Mike McKenzie forcing an early corner from Mikkelsen. Thistle responded and Andy Thomson shot wide after Stuart Gray had failed to clear. The Banffers shocked the home support, and delighted the tiny Vale contingent when Mark CHISHOLM opened the scoring in just 4 minutes. Brown won the ball in the centre of the park, supplying Mike McKenzie, who's cross from the right confused Jean-Yves Anis, and Chisholm slotted home.
Thistles response was almost instant, as Anis made up for his earlier mistake, when he showed good footwork, to slot home the equaliser from inside the box. Thistle threatened again after a Bonnes cross was met by Taylor, his header went just wide of Bremners post.
The match began to open up with both sides attempting to keep the ball flowing.
Mike McKenzie was beginning to cause problems for the Partick defence, while Ian Murray tried his luck with a snap shot after a long clearance from Ross Bremner which was easily dealt with by Mikkelsen. Thomson was in the thick of the action after he had held off Anderson, but his attempt was off target. Moments later Rowson again supplied Thomson, but the big striker ballooned his shot well over.
Barrie Stephen was next to warm the Thistle keepers hands when his shot was turned round for another Vale corner. Scott Anderson and his defence were having a busy afternoon, but were managing to keep Grady and co quiet .

Partick made a couple of changes in defence for the second half, with Kenny Milne and the experienced Derek Whyte being replaced by Grant Murray and Ian Ross. Stephane Bones tried his luck as Thistle were trying to carve open the Vale defence.
Barrie Stephen had a great chance to put Vale ahead in the 51st minute. McKenzie had again split the Thistle defence, placing the winger one on one with Mikkelsen, but his shot ended wide of the target. Bonnes, was then replaced by Jean Paul McBride.
Particks full time status was beginning to show as McBride and Taylor combined well with the latter shooting just wide of Bremners right hand post.
Gregg Carrol made his first change with Paul Urquhart replacing scorer Chisholm in 55 minutes. Bryan Dlugonski, was growing in confidence as he marshalled Thompson well. Slack play by Rowson allowed Barrie Stephen to intercept, but his pass was too heavy for Murray.
Steve Dolan was called into action having to clear a Thistle cross as Vale were put on the back foot. Tricky footwork by Taylor required Levi Stephen to look sharp, as Bremner made an excellent save from the Thistle number eight.

Thistle were now dominating possession and Scott Anderson was forced to concede another corned. Poor marking left Grady to head Thistle in front. The substitutions continued as Gerry Britton & Eddie Forrest replaced scorers Grady and Anis on 62 minutes. Bremner was called into action again, thwarting a drive from Thompson.
Barrie Stephen was replaced by Darren McAllister, and the home crowd gave their appreciation for the wingers efforts.
Britton had a goal chopped off for offside on 70 minutes. Dlugonski, made his customary run, with a 70 yard dash, with the Partick defence opening up, but the defenders shot was high and wide. Terry Kidd replaced Brown on 72 minute.
Dolan made a run up the left which end with McKenzie trying a quick shot at goal easily dealt with by Mikkelsen.
Thistle increased their lead further when McKenzie was dispossessed by McBride, who's back post cross was headed in by Thompson from an acute angle. McBride was again in action when his long range effort soared over the crossbar. Thistle again has an goal chopped off, Bremner had saved well from Britton, before the ball ended up in the net, but the standside linesman's flag was already up.
Vale's last chance came with a 25 yard freekick which McKenzie struck into the wall. Referee Willie Young blew for full time, with the Thistle supporters sportingly clapping both teams off the park.

Afterwards, Manager Gregg Carrol, was understandably upbeat First of all I'm delighted that Partick though of us for the game, it's great for us to be able to play at a Premier Club Ground. I'm very happy with the players performance today. It was an excellent work out. They have done themselves, the Management Team, Club and the Highland League proud
They have had a hard pre-season, and now we can focus on the Aberdeen game and trying to retain our title.

Vale:
Bremner, Dolan, Gray, Chisholm (Urquhart), Dlugonski, Anderson, B. Stephen (McAllister), L. Stephen , Murray, McKenzie, Brown (Kidd)
Subs not used: Pressley, Sharp
Partick Thistle:
Mikkelsen, Anis (Forrest), Milne (I.Ross), Lilley, Whyte (Murray), Rowson, Bonnes (McBride), Taylor, Grady (Britton), Thompson, Mitchell (A.Ross)
Subs Not Used,Pinkowski (GK)

Referee: W.Young (4)
Attendance: 1673