‘It was a big step up’ – Josh Kelly on learning curve after AFC Wimbledon move and confidence he is now in the groove

BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk

Josh Kelly has drawn similarities from his start to life with Solihull Moors and the beginning of his AFC Wimbledon career and believes he has firmly settled into the groove with the South Londoners heading into his first full season with the club.

The striker netted five times in his first 16 games for Solihull in his debut 2022-23 campaign after moving from National League rivals Maidenhead.

He then went on a run of 19 games without a goal before scoring in a 3-2 win over Torquay in early March – a goal which saw Kelly break into a consistent run of form and earn a move to the EFL for the first time in his career.

Kelly scored six more goals for the rest of the 2022-23 season and hit 19 goal contributions at the start of the following season before signing for the Dons on deadline day in January as a replacement for Ali Al-Hamadi after his club record switch to Ipswich Town.

“It was a big step up from where I was at,” Kelly told the South London Press, when asked about making the switch to the EFL. “It was tough. I went straight in at Bradford in my first game.

“When I went to Solihull, it took me a few months to settle down and get used to the style.

“I have done that now here. I have gotten to grips with what the gaffer wants us to do and how he wants us to play.

“I have the grasp of how the games go and how the teams play. Hopefully that can show in the games to come.”

Kelly went 15 games without a goal for the Dons, as their League Two play-off hopes faded away with a handful of games left to play.

The 25-year-old went close on a handful of occasions to opening his account – having efforts just miss the target as well as smashing the ball off the crossbar against Newport in March.

He eventually got on the scoresheet when he hit a brace in the penultimate game of the campaign – a 3-2 defeat at Tranmere.

Kelly, who scored against Bromley in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night, said: “The first month or so, I was a bit agitated – I was trying almost too hard for it to go in. But I got on with it. I couldn’t do much else. I got two at Tranmere but there were a few close ones before that.

“It just wasn’t happening. Luckily I got there in the end. Up until that [game against Tranmere] I brushed it to one side in a sense.

“It had been at the back of my mind – anything like that won’t help at all. Going into that game, it felt different – I felt more relaxed when I came on. The confidence has gone up and up from there.”

Kelly’s switch to Plough Lane meant the Wimbledon head of football operations Craig Cope was able to re-sign the striker for a second time.

Former Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest analyst Cope was technical director with Solihull when Kelly signed from Maidenhead after he scored 27 times in 129 outings.

Cope’s Solihull side reached the National League play-off final in the 2021-22 season – losing 2-1 to Grimsby Town in the final.

Kelly said: “He’s looking after me, isn’t he? Craig has been really good for me. I’m glad he has helped me get this over the line.

“I really enjoyed my time at Solihull. It was my first time moving away.”

The former Walton Casuals loanee is battling with Matty Stevens, Omar Bugiel and Joe Pigott for two of the starting striker spots this season.
Stevens and Bugiel were handed the frontline starting roles for the 4-2 victory against Colchester in the first outing of the season, but Kelly impressed in the pre-season win over Charlton, scoring against the League One side after collecting a pass from former Solihull team-mate Callum Maycock.

He also scored in the 3-0 win over Metropolitan Police.

“It’s great for us and the club as well,” said Kelly of the strength in depth amongst the striker quartet.

“That’s what you need – four good options at least to get promoted.

“We work well as a four and can all contribute. It’s down to how the gaffer sees the game and who he thinks is best to start, but there will be a few different scenarios for different games.

“I want to get promotion. With the squad we have, it’s a big possibility. We need to come together and all play our part.

“That’s the aim for everybody at this club – to get up.”

MAIN PICTURE: ED BOYDEN