The scores were level at the break but Cooper-Clark took centre stage in the second-half as he struck three times to ensure the Robins claimed the local bragging rights.

His first goal was a trademark finish after receiving a long ball and shrugging off the defender to fire the ball across the advancing Chris Grace in the Ascot United goal.

He doubled his tally from a yard out after Grace dropped a free-kick at his feet, before sealing his hat-trick with a fine finish across Grace after an exquisite touch.

The in-from talisman has now struck eight goals in six games this season, already eclipsing his total for last season at Larges Lane.

And Carpenter was full of praise for his striker, who he believes is impossible to handle when he’s on form.

“He proved what he’s about on Monday,” said the Robins’ gaffer. “He’s absolutely different class. He’s unplayable when he’s like that. We set him a target of 20 goals this season and he’s a third of the way through it already.

“He’s got more goals this season after six games than he had all of last season.

“What I love about him is that he walked off the pitch complaining he hadn’t scored four and that’s what you want from your striker. He’s a big assett for us.

“He’s got to be patient as when you come to teams like Ascot and we sit in then it’s difficult as it’s one on four effectively when he’s up against the back line.” With the departure of Ben Knight to the Yellamen, Cooper-Clark has stepped up to the plate as the main man for Bracknell - and has done so in style.

And Carpenter believes the sizzling form is a testament to the striker’s hard work.

“Every player loves an arm around him and that’s what we’ve done with Shane,” he said.

“We’ve made him the focal point of the team and, now he’s fit he’s firing.

“When you’ve got a confident Shane on form then you’ve got to believe he’ll score goals and we’re always telling him to get in the box and he’s getting the fruits of his labour.

“He’s worked hard, taken everything we’ve told him on board and listened, and he’s getting the rewards.

“He’s working well with Jamie Lawlor who was excellent today. “He won headers and got in and around Shane to give us an impetus further up the pitch.”