Following cross, where ball would be for goal? (4)
I believe the answer is:
next
'following' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'cross where ball would be for goal?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'cross' could be 'x' (X is cross-shaped) and 'x' is found in the answer.
'goal?' could be 'net' (net is a kind of goal) and 'net' is found within the leftover letters.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for next that I've seen before include "Immediately following in time or order" , "First in line" , "The one following or adjacent" , "Succeeding" , "Coming nearest in order - come, please!" .)