They spoil clean sheets (5)

I believe the answer is:

goals

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'sheets' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for goals that I've seen before include "Aims" , "Ends, targets" , "Objectives" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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