Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Non-League
Josh Lawless
A National League match was abandoned with the score at 1-1 on Tuesday night after a horrific incident which occurred in stoppage time.
Eastleigh hosted Scunthorpe at the Silverlake Stadium, with Dec Howe opening the scoring for the visitors before Harvey Saunders levelled matters in injury time.
But deep into stoppage time, there was an entirely accidental but sickening head collision between Eastleigh's on-loan defender Archie Harris and Scunthorpe's Jean Belehouan.
The two were competing for a loose ball but bumped into one another at a frightening speed and both crashed to the turf in unison.
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Both players immediately required treatment from medical staff and paramedics after an ambulance was called.
Flags were put up to around them to protect the pair as the stadium stood fell silent and waited anxiously.
The referee took both sets of players off the pitch and then made the decision to abandon the game, which was being shown live on DAZN as part of their National League coverage.
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Having been transferred onto a wheelchair and taken from the pitch, Scunthorpe confirmed a positive update on Belehouan after manager Andy Butler told BBC Radio Humberside he had a "slightly numb face" and was in a "bit of shock from the impact"
On X, the club wrote: "Jean Belehouan has returned to the dressing room following treatment and will continue to be assessed and monitored.
"At this stage, JB appears to be responding well to testing. As soon as there are any other updates we will update."
In addition, Eastleigh announced that 20-year-old Harris, on loan from Bournemouth, was conscious and communicating while at hospital.
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The club said: "Eastleigh Football Club can confirm that Archie Harris has been admitted to hospital and is conscious and talking.
"We will provide further updates to supporters in due course. We’re all with you, Archie."
Messages of supporters from clubs around the league flooded in for both players as they look for a speedy recovery and a safe return to action.
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Though the game was past the 90th minute, it remains to be seen whether the fixture will be replayed entirely given the busy schedule.
Scunthorpe are fifth in the league with 12 points, with Eastleigh in eighth spot on 10 points.