Present time allocated to match is satisfactory (8)
I believe the answer is:
adequate
'satisfactory' is the definition.
(associated in meaning)
'present time allocated to match' is the wordplay.
'present time' becomes 'AD' (AD, Anno Domini, as opposed to BC, Before Christ).
'allocated to' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'match' becomes 'equate' (to equate is to match or be equivalent).
'ad'+'equate'='ADEQUATE'
'is' is the link.
(Other definitions for adequate that I've seen before include "Satisfactory, good enough" , "plenty" , "Passable; enough" , "Barely sufficient" , "'Good enough, all right (8)'" .)