Portsmouth FC's players became stranded in the US when their plane was hit by a catering lorry A non-league football team lost 7-0 in a "once in a lifetime" game against Spanish side Real Betis, after replacing Portsmouth at the 11th hour.Conference South side Havant and Waterlooville took on the La Liga team in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.
Pompey players, who were due to take on Real Betis, are stuck in North Carolina after their plane was hit by a catering lorry at the end of a tour.
Seville-based Real Betis are currently on a pre-season tour of the UK.
'Lengthy discussions'Trevor Brock, a director at the Hampshire club, described the visiting team as "electric".
"I think we knew they were going to be good but I don't think we knew how good they were going to be, " he said.
"They have just won the equivalent of the Championship - they basically brought their whole squad here.
"This team was something else, we did the best we could."
The visiting club were already 5-0 ahead by half time, with a hat-trick by Ruben Castro and two goals by Jorge Molina.
Sergio scored the sixth goal in the 54th minute with the victory sealed by Salva, who knocked in a penalty two minutes from full time.
About 800 supporters packed into Westleigh Park, with tickets costing fans ?5 and ?10.
Goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore managed to hold off about eight near misses.
Havant and Waterlooville are hoping for a win away against local side Gosport Borough on Monday in a pre-season friendly.
Mankini invaderReal Betis had been due to play Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
Portsmouth FC said: "Almost all of the squad and its coaching staff will not arrive back in Britain until Sunday.
"After lengthy discussions, the difficult decision to call the match off was made in conjunction with Real Betis."
Portsmouth FC chief executive David Lampitt said: "Unfortunately events outside of our control have conspired against us and we have been left with no choice but to cancel this match.
"We are naturally disappointed as we were looking forward to welcoming Real Betis, their fans and directors to Fratton Park and we thank them for their patience and understanding."
Fans who bought tickets for the Portsmouth match will be refunded, the club said.
In 2008, Havant and Waterlooville played Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup, losing 5-2.
In March the team also hit national headlines after a match against non-league Dorchester Town. A Dorchester player was sent off for tackling a pitch invader who was dressed in a mankini.
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