A National League fixture between Eastleigh and Scunthorpe at the Silverlake Stadium ended prematurely on Tuesday evening when referee officials called off the match following a severe head collision in the 97th minute.
The incident involved Eastleigh defender Archie Harris, currently on loan from Bournemouth, and Scunthorpe's Jean Belehouan, with the pair clashing heads whilst competing for the ball during added time.
Medical personnel rushed onto the pitch immediately as both players required extensive treatment. An ambulance was summoned to the ground while the stadium fell silent.
The match stood at 1-1 when play was halted, with officials ultimately deciding player welfare took precedence over completing the fixture.
A National League fixture between Eastleigh and Scunthorpe at the Silverlake Stadium ended prematurely on Tuesday evening when referee officials called off the match following a severe head collision in the 97th minute
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Privacy screens were erected around the injured players whilst paramedics administered treatment on the pitch.
According to Scunthorpe manager Andy Butler, Harris lost consciousness during the collision and required oxygen therapy.
Match officials directed both teams to return to their changing rooms as medical staff continued their work.
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Full-Time - the game has been abandoned.
— Eastleigh FC (@EastleighFC) September 2, 2025
Once again, the thoughts of everyone at Eastleigh Football Club are with Archie Harris and Jean Belehouan.
The referee subsequently confirmed the fixture would not resume, with the abandonment announced shortly after 9.45pm.
Eastleigh posted on social media: "Paramedics are on the pitch and the stadium drops to silence. Our thoughts are with Archie Harris and Jean Belehouan."
The distressing scenes brought Tuesday evening's contest to an abrupt conclusion.
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Harris regained consciousness following treatment and was transported to hospital, where Eastleigh confirmed he remained conscious and able to communicate.
Butler revealed the defender had been smiling after coming round, despite having received oxygen on the pitch.
"He's had the best possible care, he's had the ambulance people and three people around him," the Scunthorpe manager stated.
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Eastleigh's Archie Harris (right) was taken to hospital after the incident
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Belehouan sat up before being moved to a wheelchair and taken from the pitch.
Scunthorpe reported he had returned to the changing area and was "responding well to testing" during continued medical assessments.
Butler noted Belehouan hadn't lost consciousness but experienced facial numbness and shock from the impact.
"Football and results are nothing compared to the players' safety so we wish Archie Harris all the best and we hope he makes a full and speedy recovery," he poignantly explained.
The match had been finely balanced before the incident, with Scunthorpe's Declan Howe breaking the deadlock in the 83rd minute by converting a rebound past Nick Townsend.
Eastleigh responded immediately in the opening minute of added time when Harvey Saunders forced the ball home following Paul McCallum's cross.
The abandonment leaves both clubs' league positions unchanged, with Scunthorpe fifth and Eastleigh eighth in the National League standings.