Item in magazine about game starting late (9)
I believe the answer is:
cartridge
'item in magazine' is the definition.
(as in a firearm's magazine)
'about game starting late' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 'c' (abbreviation for circa).
'game' becomes 'partridge' (partridge is a type of game).
'starting late' means to remove the first letter (the word begins later than normal).
'partridge' with its initial letter taken off is 'artridge'.
'c'+'artridge'='CARTRIDGE'
(Other definitions for cartridge that I've seen before include "stunning charge may be made" , "Cassette" , "Magazine" , "Bullet case" , "Replaceable container of ink, etc." .)