Crossword Genius

A match earlier (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ago

'earlier' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'a match' is the wordplay.
'match' becomes 'go' (I've seen this in other clues).
'a'+'go'='AGO'

(Other definitions for ago that I've seen before include "Previously" , "In past times" , "Earlier, gone by" , "(Years) before the present time" , "Back (in time)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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