Crossword Genius

A number of strikers in cup tie perhaps to give yellow card (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

matchbook

'a number of strikers' is the definition.
(you strike a match to set it alight)

'cup tie perhaps to give yellow card' is the wordplay.
'cup tie perhaps' becomes 'match' (cup tie is a type of match).
'to give yellow card' becomes 'book' (a football referee might book a player).
'match'+'book'='MATCHBOOK'

'in' is the link.

(Another definition for matchbook that I've seen is " strikers taken from here".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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