Recorded if reversal went first (5)
I believe the answer is:
filed
'recorded' is the definition.
(filing is a kind of recording)
'if reversal went first' is the wordplay.
'reversal' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'went first' becomes 'led' (I've seen this in another clue).
'if' reversed gives 'fi'.
'fi'+'led'='FILED'
(Other definitions for filed that I've seen before include "Noted" , "Put away in a container for records" , "Worked with a tool" , "Placed in folder" , "arranged in a particular way" .)