BOSS Paul Davis blamed a two-week break for the end of Ardley United’s long unbeaten run, writes Dale James.

Ardley suffered their first defeat for two months – going back nine games – when they went down 1-0 at home to Brimscombe & Thrupp in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division on Saturday.

Then on Tuesday, Davis’s side lost 3-0 away to high-riding Flackwell Heath.

After the Brimscombe defeat, Davis said: “A two-week break really hasn’t done us any good at all.

“I doubt there are many other non-league teams in the country that have as many Saturdays off as we have in the next couple of months, especially considering we played eight times in October.

“Having such a break seems to be forever. Training is training, but when you’re waiting for a game it’s really difficult especially as we’d been on such a good run.”

The match was twice interrupted by a dog straying onto the pitch. Indeed, the second half was delayed by more than 20 minutes while an array of people walked onto the pitch trying to get the mischievous hound off the field of play.

Brimscombe had taken the lead in the 27th minute with a close-range shot from Sam Blackie following a big deflection off a home defender.

After the intruder was sentenced to the doghouse, Ardley huffed and puffed in the second half, but all to no avail as Brimscombe left with all three points.

Ardley lost their second game in four days when they were comfortably beaten by impressive Flackwell.

The hosts, twice denied by the woodwork, took the lead through Dan Rapley just before half-time.

Jamie Essex made it 2-0 early in the second half, and only keeper Lee Farrow stood between Ardley and a heavy defeat.

Flackwell had to wait until added time before scoring their third goal through Liam Tack.

Ardley will be hoping to return to winning ways when they entertain Highmoor-Ibis on Saturday.

Bicester Town return to Division 1 East action away to Chalfont Wasps.