Tiverton Town's team spirit has been praised ahead of the club's final pre-season friendly away at Bristol Manor Farm this Saturday.
Tivvy, who were due to play Ivybridge Town at Ladysmead on Wednesday, managed to get a morale-boosting 1-1 draw against League One side Port Vale last weekend.
They took the lead in the 11th minute through Jamie Mudge's close-range striker and came close to recording a shock victory before Ben Williamson equalised with four minutes to go.
The result, in baking hot conditions, had a lot to do with the team's willingness to work hard, stay defensively organised and put in last-ditch tackles when required.
Yellows boss Rogers said that honesty would stand them in good stead when the new season gets under way in just over a week's time.
"I think the one thing I have got with the squad at the moment is that they are honest," he said. "When you get honest players around you, you know what you are going to get week in, week out. They might not play as well as they did against Port Vale and they might not defend as well, but they will give you everything.
"When you have got that in your locker, then that is all you can ask as a manager."
"It is credit to our boys that they kept at it all the way through the game and I said to the players in the dressing room after the match that it shows a lot of character."
His views were echoed by young captain James Richards who feels that, despite a number of first team players departing the squad during the summer, the side have a good team spirit.
"All the lads worked for each other and got across the pitch," he said. "I know we didn't get on the ball as much as we could against Port Vale, but they were pressing and working hard.
"As a team though, I thought we were superb. I think it is starting to show that we have bonded together quickly and we are looking like a good unit."
Richards, at just 21, was a surprising choice to take the skipper's armband this summer but it is a move from Rogers which appears to be paying off in pre-season. However, Richards added that he gets plenty of help from other more experienced players in the side when it comes to leadership.
"There are quite a few leaders out there," he said. "Tom Gardner, who is next to me in defence, is always talking as well and it helps to have that experience that he has got next to me.
"If I switch off he is always there on my back and he helps everyone else as well which is good."
