Crossword Genius

Fail to score at home, gathering round goal (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mission

'goal' is the definition.

'fail to score at home gathering round' is the wordplay.
'fail to score' becomes 'miss'.
'at home' becomes 'in' ('I'm in' can mean 'I'm at home').
'gathering' is an insertion indicator (gather can mean to acquire or bring in).
'round' becomes 'o' (round can mean a round object).
'in' enclosing 'o' is 'ion'.
'miss'+'ion'='MISSION'

(Other definitions for mission that I've seen before include "Assignment - calling" , "important business" , "Journey with a specific purpose" , "Important assignment" , "Special assignment" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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