eSports Preview: Connect Four

Argyle eSports round off a hectic week with four Virtual Pro Gaming (VPG) fixtures on Thursday night.

Having secured an impressive draw against defending champions QPR in the VPG English Premier last time out, the Pilgrims face Southend United and Lincoln City, looking to build on a strong start in a competitive division.

“In the QPR game, we were brilliant. We went 1-0 down, got back into the game and felt like we could have won it,” said Ben Taylor, the team’s manager.

“Southend are a good team. We have played them in the past, and they’ve always given us a tough game. We are hopeful that we can get a result – we seem to be doing alright in the English Premier, and we want to carry that on tonight [Thursday] and get a result.”

The Greens were unable to replicate their excellent English Premier performance in League One South action – drawing 2-2 against strugglers Green Line, before narrowly defeating Cardiff City 1-0.

Taylor said: “In the second game [against Green Line], we didn’t reach the standards we had set in the QPR game, and we couldn’t get going.”

“It was a bit of a kick in the teeth – we shouldn’t have drawn the game. We got a bit complacent and conceded two sloppy goals. On another day we would have won, but it wasn’t to be. It was very disappointing.

“The Cardiff game was tough, and we were struggling to break them down. In the end, our pressure told, which was a relief.”

Having recovered from sitting bottom of the table after six games, the Pilgrims now occupy seventh place in League One South, 10 points adrift of the top three.  

On Thursday night, Taylor’s side must overcome two high-flying teams, in Fearless eSports and eSports Vikings Slayers, to keep their faint promotion hopes alive.

“Fearless are right up there, challenging for the title. We beat them in the first game, as well as Vikings Slayers, but that doesn’t mean anything going into tonight.”

Whatever happens between now and the end of the League One South campaign, Taylor is pleased with his team’s progress.

“It’s been a positive season, considering how we started this. I am not satisfied, though, as promotion is the aim. We have come a long way, but I have high hopes for this team so it’s bittersweet, really.”

All four fixtures will be available to stream from 8pm BST on our Facebook and Twitch channels.