| CONTEST | A competition, as opposed to a match |
| EARACHE | English husband entering a competition, as result of nagging? |
| ENGAGES | Agrees to a match when one plays a role (7) |
| ELOPED | Crossed the Border to get to a match (6) |
| MINIGAMES | Short contests within a larger competition, as in Mario Party |
| CHURCHWEDDING | For those joining The Union in presence of Father of the Chapel, this won't appeal to mates going to a match with no faith (6,7) |
| ELOPE | Did an old band, in short, have power, at the end, to get to a match (5) |
| SETS | There may be three to a match |
| HEADLIGHT | Leader going to a match is potential flasher (9) |
| LITUP | Took to a match (3,2) |
| EXTRATIME | Minutes added to a match (5.4) |
| CREDIT | Honour lead in competition, as half the cards are on it |
| EUROPEAN | Such competition as Hammers are one up? |
| PARVENU | Might an upstart get an old man to a match, although lacking energy (7) |
| RINGER | Australian word for the fastest sheepshearer in an shed, as opposed to a "snagger"; a game of marbles; a campanologist; or, a horseshoe/quoit thrown so as to encircle a peg (6) |
| OLIGOPOLY | Limited competition as Oscar replaces Sligo head at local English Institute of Technology (9) |
| GAMIFIES | Adds competitions, as for product promotion |
| MATCHUPS | Sporting competitions as paired, initially taking champs u-turn? (8) |
| MOUNT | Backing or setting for a gem or a painting; a slide used in microscopy; a philatelic stamp hinge; or, a hack as opposed to a draught horse (5) |
| BOARDER | A sailor who storms a ship in an attack; one who skates or surfs on a deck/plank; a lodger; or, a residential pupil, as opposed to a day-boy/girl (7) |
