Plucky in match (4)
I believe the answer is:
game
I believe this is a double definition.
'plucky' is the first definition.
(both can mean enthusiastic or willing)
'match' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for game that I've seen before include "Sport - amusement" , "Creatures killed for sport" , "What might get hung" , "Ducks and drakes, for example" , "Sport - willing - lame" .)