Report by Ed Groves
The match between Eastleigh and Scunthorpe United was abandoned in the 93rd minute with the scoring being 1-1 at the time.
Scunthorpe took the lead in the 83rd minute through Declan Howe but the Spitfires quickly responded with Harvey Saunders netting his second goal in two games less than ten minutes later.
Kelvin Davis handed Harvey Saunders his first league start after the striker’s impressive debut cameo against Altrincham, where the Tranmere loanee scored one and assisted another in Eastleigh’s 2-1 victory. His inclusion saw fellow loanee Zavier Massiah-Edwards drop to the bench, while Angel Waruih also made way for the returning captain Jake Taylor. There was further good news for the Spitfires, as Lloyd Humphries returned to the matchday squad for the first time since the final league game of last season against York City. Paul McCallum, also returned to the bench as his suspension from the 3-2 win against Aldershot was over.
Seven minutes in, Eastleigh were handed their first opportunity when Aaron Blair was brought down after slipping a clever pass into Harvey Saunders’ path. Referee Harry Wager awarded the free-kick in a promising area, but Kieron Evans’ delivery was comfortably cleared by the Scunthorpe defence.
Just two minutes later, it was Saunders’ turn to win a set-piece. The striker latched unexpectedly onto a long ball forward, catching Will Evans off guard and drawing a foul. From a similar position, Archie Harris whipped in a dangerous ball, but once again the home defence stood firm.
Scunthorpe soon responded with a free-kick of their own from the left-hand side. Oli Ewing’s deep delivery eventually fell to Billy Chadwick, but his volley skewed harmlessly wide.
Ewing continued to pose questions for the Spitfires. Picking the ball up inside the Eastleigh half, the midfielder glided past Jake Taylor and drove with purpose before laying it wide to Carlton Ubaezuonu, whose effort cleared the crossbar without troubling Nick Townsend.
In the 22nd minute, Eastleigh carved out the best chance of the half so far. Evans hit a pinpoint pass through the heart of midfield to release Blair, who controlled superbly before unleashing a first-time volley — only to see it sail over the bar.
The visitors almost punished Eastleigh moments later after a defensive mix-up left Danny Whitehall in possession inside the box. Instead of shooting, the former Spitfire opted to square it for Ubaezuonu, but his heavy touch let the visitors off the hook.
Five minutes before the break, some slick one-touch play from Scunthorpe ended with Roberts being brought down just outside the area. Whitehall stepped up against his former club and unleashed a thunderous strike that cannoned off the underside of the bar, rebounded onto Townsend, and dropped dangerously in the six-yard box before Eastleigh managed to scramble it clear. That close call brought the half to a dramatic end, with both sides heading into the break level at 0-0 and everything still to play for in the second half.
Three minutes into the half Davis made his first substitution when McCallum entered the pitch for Blair who seemed to be in discomfort.
In the 50th minute Scunthorpe came forward with some promise down the left-hand side and managed to deliver a dangerous ball into the box that was fantastically cut out by an outstretched Temi Eweka for a corner.
The resulting corner once again threatened to put the Irons one goal to the good but Chadwicks effort was blocked heroically by Aaron Pierre.
Just one minute later Eastleigh’s defence was called upon again and once again the Spitfires answered the call with a solution. Ewing drove at the defence before unleashing a shot that seemed to be creeping towards the bottom left corner but Townsend tipped the ball round the post.
The Eastleigh number one once again refused to be beat with ease, after a delivery from Roberts that came from a drop-ball fell to Ubaezuonu, who struck his chance well from close-range but Townsend stood tall to deny the danger.
Similarly to his assist the other day Saunders showed his pace down the left-hand side once again, he raced away with the ball and put in a cross however this evaded everyone. Once again in the 62nd minute Eastleigh showed the threat they possess on the break. Archie Harris picked out a ball with a fantastic touch on the left-hand side and picked out Saunders. His shot was blocked but only as far as Taylor. The captain beat a man at the edge of the box and saw his shot get tipped over the bar by Rory Watson.
Saunders came inches away from breaking the deadlock himself when the ball dropped kindly to him inside the box. With his back to goal, he swivelled and struck, but his effort narrowly cleared the bar, keeping the scores level at 0-0 with 20 minutes remaining.
After Eastleigh’s flurry of chances, the visitors threatened once again. A loose ball fell to Callum Roberts inside the box, and he struck powerfully down the middle, only to be denied by another brilliant save from Townsend, who continued to stand firm for the hosts.
The visitors came forward once again and found themselves attacking down the left hand-side through midfielder Joe Rowley, who played an incisive pass in behind the Spitfires defensive line for full-back Tyler Denton to run onto. The full-back cut the ball back across the 18-yard box and found Andrew Boyce but the Scunthorpe skipper couldn’t get a shot away before a sliding challenge came in from Spitfires skipper Jake Taylor. The ball then fell kindly to substitute Declan Howe who’s first-time effort crept under a sprawling Nick Townsend and trickled over the line to put the visitors into the lead with eight minutes remaining in normal time.
The Spitfires finally found their equaliser deep into stoppage time. As the fourth official’s board went up showing eight added minutes, Archie Harris delivered a deep cross into the area. McCallum rose highest to nod it back across goal, where Saunders bundled the ball home to bring Eastleigh level.
Scunthorpe almost snatched all three points late on when Roberts’ clever footwork took him clear and one-on-one with Townsend, but the Eastleigh goalkeeper was quick off his line, diving at the striker’s feet to make a vital stop.
What followed was a deeply distressing moment that brought the match to a premature conclusion. While challenging for a looping loose ball, Spitfires defender Archie Harris and Scunthorpe United’s Jean Belehouan collided heavily, leaving both players requiring urgent medical attention on the pitch. A hush fell over the stadium as treatment was administered, and after a lengthy delay, the referee decided to abandon the game.
Thankfully, both players have showed encouraging signs since the injury and further updates will be posted on social media as we have them. Our thoughts are with Archie Harris and Jean Belehouan.
We will keep supporters updated on the situation and any developments following the abandonment of the match.
Eastleigh: Townsend (GK), Brindley (Davis 55′), Eweka, Pierre, Holzman (Humphries 68′), Harris, Cousins (C), Taylor, Evans (Waruih 55′), Saunders, Blair (McCallum 49′)
Unused Substitutes: McNamara, Underhill, Massiah-Edwards,
Yellow Cards: Eweka 78′
Goals: Saunders 90+1′
Scunthorpe: Watson (GK), Belehouan, Evans, Boyce (C), Whitehall, Roberts ,Rowley, Ubaezuonu (Howe 74′), Ewing, Chadwick (Beestin 62′), Denton
Unused Substitutes: Watson, Eze, Brogan
Goals: Howe 86′
