Former Coleraine star remains upbeat despite penalty miss on Barnsley debut: ‘That's the way it goes sometimes'
He made his debut on Wednesday night, when the Tykes drew 2-2 with Fleetwood Town in the opening round of the Carabao Cup.
Kelly had the chance to win the penalty shoot-out for his new club, only to see his shot crash off the crossbar. However, two saves by goalkeeper Murphy Cooper spared the 20 year-old's blushes as Barnsley moved into the second round.
Kelly said: 'I am happy enough but I was disappointed with the penalty.
'I didn't miss in training but in the game I hit the crossbar. That's the way it goes sometimes.
'I said thanks to Murph for digging me out.
'It's my first start since April. I didn't play any games in pre-season with an injury. I was feeling it towards the end.'
The Portstewart man opted to move to Barnsley on a permanent basis, rather than go out on loan from West Ham.
He explained: 'I had quite a lot of options in League One and I still had a year left at West Ham.
'The plan at first was maybe a loan again but I spoke to my agent and my family and felt, if I could move permanently, it might be the better choice.
'Thankfully there was a decent offer from Barnsley that West Ham were happy with.
'As soon as I spoke to the manager and the sporting director Mladen Sormaz about how they wanted to play, objectives for the season and for me, I wanted to come.
'I played here last season in the EFL Trophy so I knew the stadium.'
Kelly is now keen to help the Tykes win promotion to the Championship.
'That's the aim. In the last couple of seasons, even at West Ham in the under 21s, I have been playing for teams at the right end of the table.
'We've had a good start but that's all it is. We need to keep going.
'Competition is good. It's such a squad game so having those options is good.
'There are so many games and it's a long season. It was the same at Doncaster, no one was guaranteed to play. You have to earn the right.'
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