Ward’s fine goal (4)
I believe the answer is:
fend
'ward's' is the definition.
(as in warding or fending off an attacker)
'fine goal' is the wordplay.
'fine' becomes 'f' (abbreviation).
'goal' becomes 'end' (both can mean a purpose).
'f'+'end'='FEND'
(Other definitions for fend that I've seen before include "Manage (usually for oneself)" , "Ward (off); manage (for oneself)" , "Ward off from offender" , "Try to manage without help" .)