Without a home fixture since the 20th August Vale were looking for full points against a visiting Fort William side who have improved in the last few seasons.
Manager Gregg Carrol, fresh from an early afternoon Fans Forum meeting with the supporters had made some simple changes from the side that grabbed an injury time winner at Rothes last Saturday.
Mike McKenzie was available again after suspension and slotted into the starting line up replacing Danny Craib, whose head knock last week had left him minus a tooth, and with a few stitches, had forced him to sit out the match. Paul Urquhart was back in the squad from injury, Grant Noble failed to secure a starting berth after his winner at Mackessack Park last week.
Jamie Watt ended his mini goal drought with a well taken hat-trick, Ross McWilliam bagged a brace with two good srikes, while Mike McKenzie added on from his two goals for the under 21's during the week, with the vital opener.
Meanwhile Ian Murray's unwanted desire for hitting the wood work continued with the number ten adding a further two notches to his season's count. The match its self was dominated from start to finish by the boys in red, with Fort Williams packed rearguard managing to thwart Vale's first half attacks, with a solitary McKenzie strike the only goal in the first forty five. The second saw Vale up their efforts with a goal spree that included 3 goals in 5 minutes, Fort William manager Rab Mulheron will have Mark MacRitchie to thank for keeping the score down to six, with a string of super saves in the second half.

Ian Murray came close to opening the scoring when his delicate chip rebounded off of the woodwork, as Vale managed to spring the visitors' offside trap. Blanchard was called into action for the first time to clear a back pass after Nguyen had pressured Brown and Chisholm inside the vale box.

Smith and Dolan worked a terrific 1-2, but Smith couldn't keep his shot down and went high and wide, as Vale looked to gain the important opener. It was to follow minutes later Mike McKenzie finished from close range, Murray driving in to the box, and Ross McWilliam cutting the ball back to the path of McKenzie who popped up at the back post.

Manager Carrol made a change with Terry Kidd replacing Carrol's assistant Gilbert on 70 minutes. Jamie WATT completed his hat-trick on 76 minutes from the spot sending MacRitchie the wrong way, after Mike McKenzie had been fouled in the box.

With the game virtually won, Carrol replaced Mike McKenzie and Mark Smith with Paul Urquhart and Paul Munro respectively.
Yogi was quickly in to the action testing MacRitchie who had to stretch to save Urquharts shot. The Fort keeper was again called into action again, snatching the ball from Murray toes, as he was about to strike.
A Terry Kidd cross was met by Urquhart forcing MacRitchie into another fine save.
Vale's last attempt came from Ian Murray who stuck the woodwork for the second time in the match.